{"id":994098,"date":"2026-08-11T09:25:24","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T09:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/994098\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T09:25:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T09:25:24","slug":"today-in-chicago-history-first-bud-billiken-parade-rewards-chicago-defender-newspaper-hawkers-chicago-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/994098\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Chicago History: First Bud Billiken Parade rewards Chicago Defender newspaper hawkers \u2013 Chicago Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 11, according to the Tribune\u2019s archives.<\/p>\n<p>Is an important event missing from this date? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2026\/08\/11\/august-11-chicago-history\/mailto:krumore@chicagotribune.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Email us<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Flashback:<\/strong> Aug. 11, 1966<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Avoiding their screaming fans, George, John, Ringo and Paul prepare to take a limousine into Chicago from an outlying hangar at O'Hare International Airport on Aug. 11, 1966. The Beatles were on their third and final U.S. tour. While in Chicago, John Lennon apologized for saying the group was &quot;bigger than Jesus.&quot; (Chicago Tribune historical photo)\" width=\"2524\" height=\"419\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1786440319_443_ctc-l-beatles-1966-chicago-tribune.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"39234837\" \/>Avoiding their screaming fans, George, John, Ringo and Paul prepare to take a limousine into Chicago from an outlying hangar at O&#8217;Hare International Airport on Aug. 11, 1966. The Beatles were on their third and final U.S. tour. While in Chicago, John Lennon apologized for saying the group was bigger &#8220;than Jesus.&#8221; (Chicago Tribune historical photo)<\/p>\n<p><strong>1966:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagotribune.newspapers.com\/article\/chicago-tribune-beatle-mania-hits-sour-n\/203522714\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">John Lennon<\/a> apologized in Chicago for saying days earlier The Beatles were \u201cmore popular than Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Weather records <\/strong>(from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weather.gov\/wrh\/climate?wfo=lot\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">National Weather Service, Chicago<\/a>)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High temperature: <strong>98 degrees<\/strong> (1941)<\/li>\n<li>Low temperature: <strong>47 degrees<\/strong> (1982)<\/li>\n<li>Precipitation: <strong>3.7 inches<\/strong> (1923)<\/li>\n<li>Snowfall: <strong>Trace<\/strong> (1989)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Aviator Lincoln Beachey at an air show in Grant Park in 1911. The Tribune wrote this about Beachey in 1911: &quot;The flight of the Curtiss flier, who is recognized as the biggest star of the nine days, was declared one of the most beautiful seen in the Grant park aerodrome. He announced before going up that he would attempt to break the altitude record and that he would climb until his gasoline was exhausted and then volplane to the earth.&quot; (Chicago Tribune historical photo)\" width=\"5766\" height=\"544\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ctc-185432159.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"26305705\" \/>Aviator Lincoln Beachey at an air show in Grant Park in 1911. &#8220;The flight of the Curtiss flier, who is recognized as the biggest star of the nine days, was declared one of the most beautiful seen in the Grant park aerodrome,&#8221; the Tribune said of Beachey in 1911. &#8220;He announced before going up that he would attempt to break the altitude record and that he would climb until his gasoline was exhausted and then volplane to the earth.&#8221; (Chicago Tribune historical photo)<\/p>\n<p><strong>1911:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagotribune.newspapers.com\/article\/chicago-tribune-curtain-raiser-of-the-ai\/178439075\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">International Aviation Meet<\/a> opened in Grant Park. It was considered a great success \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2011\/08\/21\/1911-chicago-air-show-packed-with-thrills-spills\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">only two pilots died<\/a>. Flyers competed for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/news\/ct-xpm-2003-10-26-0310260016-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/news\/ct-xpm-2003-10-26-0310260016-story.html\">generous cash prizes<\/a> \u2014 as well as fame and glory.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"P6iUsQpVmk\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2022\/08\/18\/vintage-chicago-tribune-the-citys-aviation-obsession-as-the-chicago-air-and-water-show-takes-flight\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Vintage Chicago Tribune: The city\u2019s aviation obsession as the Chicago Air and Water Show takes flight<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In the early 20th century, flying in Chicago was run by a private club \u2014 the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/news\/ct-xpm-2003-07-27-0307270388-story.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/news\/ct-xpm-2003-07-27-0307270388-story.html\">Aero Club of Illinois<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Chicago Mayor Martin J. Kennelly, left, and John H. Sengstacke, publisher of the Chicago Defender, ride in the Bud Billiken parade on Michigan Avenue on Aug. 7, 1948. (Max Arthur\/Chicago Tribune)\" width=\"6219\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/CTC-L-CTHIST-John-Sengstacke-003_229052997.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"26303840\" \/>Chicago Mayor Martin J. Kennelly, left, and John H. Sengstacke, publisher of the Chicago Defender, ride in the Bud Billiken Parade on Michigan Avenue on Aug. 7, 1948. (Max Arthur\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n<p><strong>1929:<\/strong> The first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2025\/08\/08\/bud-billiken-parade-route-tradition\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Bud Billiken Parade<\/a> was hosted by Chicago Defender founder <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2025\/05\/05\/chicago-history-may-5\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Robert Sengstacke Abbott<\/a> as a way to thank the children who hawked his newspaper. He could think of no better way than to give them the things they loved: ice cream, hot dogs and a day outdoors.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Cubs catcher Randy Hundley in 1972. (Chicago Tribune archive)\" width=\"2412\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/ctc-Randy-Hundleyjpg-CT0021583820.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"18913164\" \/>Cubs catcher Randy Hundley in 1972. (Chicago Tribune archive)<\/p>\n<p><strong>1966:<\/strong> Chicago Cubs catcher Randy Hundley hit for the cycle. The 24-year-old rookie was <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagotribune.newspapers.com\/article\/chicago-tribune-randy-hundley-hits-for-t\/169461656\/\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/chicagotribune.newspapers.com\/article\/chicago-tribune-randy-hundley-hits-for-t\/169461656\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cthe big show\u201d<\/a> in a 9-8 victory in the first game of a doubleheader at Wrigley Field against the Houston Astros.<\/p>\n<p>After whiffing in his first at bat, Hundley hit a triple in the fourth inning, a double off the left field wall in the sixth, <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagotribune.newspapers.com\/article\/chicago-tribune-randy-hundley-hits-for-t\/169462103\/\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/chicagotribune.newspapers.com\/article\/chicago-tribune-randy-hundley-hits-for-t\/169462103\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a homer<\/a>\u00a0(his 16th of the season) in the eighth and a single in the 11th.<\/p>\n<p>Chicago White Sox no-hitters: Aug. 11, 1991<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Chicago White Sox pitcher Wilson Alvarez throws a no-hitter in his pitching debut for the team on Aug. 11, 1991. (Chicago Tribune)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"610\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2TU5UF7FBBCQDF7NH4FTHDAXIA.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"1062704\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Chicago Tribune Archives<\/p>\n<p>Chicago White Sox pitcher Wilson \u00c1lvarez throws a no-hitter in his pitching debut for the team on Aug. 11, 1991. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n<p><strong>1991:<\/strong> Left-hander Wilson \u00c1lvarez pitched a no-hitter at Baltimore in his second career start and his first game for the Chicago White Sox.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"N6b9kgmcZI\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2021\/04\/15\/chicago-white-sox-pitchers-have-thrown-20-no-hitters-since-1902-including-3-perfect-games-relive-them-all-here\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago White Sox pitchers have thrown 20 no-hitters since 1902 \u2014 including 3 perfect games<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Want more vintage Chicago?<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe to the free\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/membership.chicagotribune.com\/newsletters\/subscribe\/lid\/2d8200fe-eefd-4f1d-bcaa-26a0ce79a461\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/membership.chicagotribune.com\/newsletters\/subscribe\/lid\/2d8200fe-eefd-4f1d-bcaa-26a0ce79a461\">Vintage Chicago Tribune<\/a>\u00a0newsletter, join our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/762760217263236\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/762760217263236\/\">Chicagoland history Facebook group,<\/a> stay current with<a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/tag\/chicago-history\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> Today in Chicago History<\/a> and follow us on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vintagetribune\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-mrf-link=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/vintagetribune\/\">Instagram<\/a>\u00a0for more from Chicago\u2019s past.<\/p>\n<p>Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2026\/08\/11\/august-11-chicago-history\/mailto:krumore@chicagotribune.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">krumore@chicagotribune.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/2026\/08\/11\/august-11-chicago-history\/mailto:mmather@chicagotribune.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">mmather@chicagotribune.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Here\u2019s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Aug. 11, according to the Tribune\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":994099,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[5124],"tags":[392642,13021,59452,78062,960,1271,32257,6387,1274,31468,5386,1818,66300,7657,64819,82146,82147,398464],"class_list":["post-994098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-chicago","tag-august-11","tag-aviation","tag-beatles","tag-bud-billiken","tag-chicago","tag-chicago-cubs","tag-chicago-defender","tag-chicago-history","tag-chicago-white-sox","tag-grant-park","tag-il","tag-illinois","tag-jesus","tag-john-lennon","tag-no-hitter","tag-randy-hundley","tag-robert-sengstacke-abbott","tag-wilson-alvarez"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/117076162504963701","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/994098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=994098"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/994098\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/994099"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=994098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=994098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=994098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}