{"id":765875,"date":"2026-06-20T11:39:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T11:39:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/765875\/"},"modified":"2026-06-20T11:39:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T11:39:19","slug":"today-in-chicago-history-ground-broken-for-meigs-field","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/765875\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Chicago History: Ground broken for Meigs Field"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here\u2019s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on June 20, according to the Tribune\u2019s archives.<\/p>\n

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Flashback: June 21, 1953<\/p>\n

June 20, 1953: Temperature hits 104 degrees in Chicago<\/p>\n

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Chicago Tribune, June 21, 1953<\/p>\n

The Tribune’s front page on June 21, 1953. (Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

1953:\u00a0Chicago recorded its\u00a0second-hottest temperature<\/a>: 104 degrees. (It was also 104 degrees on June 20, 1988, and on July 13, 1995).<\/p>\n

\u201cOf 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,\u201d the Tribune reported.<\/p>\n

Here are Chicago\u2019s hottest days \u2014 with temperatures of 100 degrees or higher \u2014 on record<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago<\/a>)<\/p>\n

High temperature: 104 degrees (1953 and 1988)
\nLow temperature: 43 degrees (1992)
\nPrecipitation: 2.71 inches (1928)
\nSnowfall: Trace (1997)<\/p>\n

\"PeoplePeople 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)<\/p>\n

1926: The 28th International Eucharistic Congress \u2014 the first to be held in the United States \u2014 opened at Holy Name Cathedral<\/a>\u00a0and was\u00a0broadcast<\/a>\u00a0on WGN radio.<\/p>\n

Vintage Chicago Tribune: 1 million Catholics converge on city for International Eucharistic Congress<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Mundelein promised Pope Pius XI that if he allowed the event to take place in Chicago, \u201ca great spiritual banquet\u201d of\u00a01 million Communions<\/a>\u00a0would open the festivities. In all, 6,000 Masses were celebrated on the event\u2019s first day in the archdiocese\u2019s more than 360 churches, the Tribune reported.<\/p>\n

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Meigs Field \u2014 shut 20 years ago by Mayor Daley \u2014 and Northerly Island\u2019s evolution<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

1947: Ground was broken<\/a> for Chicago\u2019s lakefront airport on Northerly Island, which would be known as Meigs Field.<\/p>\n

\"MichaelMichael Jordan celebrates the Chicago Bulls’ third NBA title with his teammates on June 20, 1993, in Phoenix. (Jim Prisching\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n

1993: The Chicago Bulls won the team\u2019s third NBA championship<\/a> by outlasting the Phoenix Suns 99-98. Guard John Paxson sunk a three-point shot with 3.9 seconds remaining on the clock.<\/p>\n

\u201cHorace Grant sealed the historic night by blocking the Suns\u2019 Kevin John last-second shot attempt,\u201d Tribune reporter Sam Smith wrote. \u201cThe night will forever be engraved in the conscience of sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Chicago Bulls beat the Phoenix Suns in June 20, 1993, to win the team’s third NBA championship. (Chicago Tribune)
\nWant more vintage Chicago?<\/p>\n

Subscribe to the free\u00a0Vintage Chicago Tribune<\/a>\u00a0newsletter, join our\u00a0Chicagoland history Facebook group,<\/a> stay current with Today in Chicago History<\/a> and follow us on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0for more from Chicago\u2019s past.<\/p>\n

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0mmather@chicagotribune.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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