Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 20, according to the Tribune’s archives.
Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.
Flashback: June 21, 1953
June 20, 1953: Temperature hits 104 degrees in Chicago
Chicago Tribune, June 21, 1953
The Tribune’s front page on June 21, 1953. (Chicago Tribune)
1953: Chicago recorded its second-hottest temperature: 104 degrees. (It was also 104 degrees on June 20, 1988, and on July 13, 1995).
“Of the estimated 350,000 persons who sought relief at beaches and pools, five drowned, scores suffered heat prostration, and thousands took home second-degree sunburns,” the Tribune reported.
Here are Chicago’s hottest days — with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher — on record
Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
High temperature: 104 degrees (1953 and 1988)
Low temperature: 43 degrees (1992)
Precipitation: 2.71 inches (1928)
Snowfall: Trace (1997)
People take part in a procession from Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary to Holy Name Cathedral for the opening reception for Cardinal Giovanni Bonzano and the Mass that followed during the 28th International Eucharistic Congress in June 1926 in Chicago. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)
1926: The 28th International Eucharistic Congress — the first to be held in the United States — opened at Holy Name Cathedral and was broadcast on WGN radio.
Vintage Chicago Tribune: 1 million Catholics converge on city for International Eucharistic Congress
Mundelein promised Pope Pius XI that if he allowed the event to take place in Chicago, “a great spiritual banquet” of 1 million Communions would open the festivities. In all, 6,000 Masses were celebrated on the event’s first day in the archdiocese’s more than 360 churches, the Tribune reported.
1947: Ground was broken for Chicago’s lakefront airport on Northerly Island, which would be known as Meigs Field.
Michael Jordan celebrates the Chicago Bulls’ third NBA title with his teammates on June 20, 1993, in Phoenix. (Jim Prisching/Chicago Tribune)
1993: The Chicago Bulls won the team’s third NBA championship by outlasting the Phoenix Suns 99-98. Guard John Paxson sunk a three-point shot with 3.9 seconds remaining on the clock.
“Horace Grant sealed the historic night by blocking the Suns’ Kevin John last-second shot attempt,” Tribune reporter Sam Smith wrote. “The night will forever be engraved in the conscience of sport.”
The Chicago Bulls beat the Phoenix Suns in June 20, 1993, to win the team’s third NBA championship. (Chicago Tribune)
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