How much would it cost for a commuter who lives in Zion and comes into Ogilvie to have a yearly membership in Car 553? (you can find Metra fares here)
We'll be back next week with the answer, as well as another question.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Trivia Tuesday: Train Math
Welcome to another round of trivia. First off, last week's answer. In 1881, the 200 people who almost died near Moingona, Iowa owe their lives to a 16 year old Irish immigrant by the name of Kate Shelley, who was able to warn the oncoming train of a washed out bridge. And as for what this has to do with Chicago, the timetables for the Union Pacific West line are colored "Kate Shelley Rose". Why UP West? Because that line is the distant descendant of the line that had its train saved by Shelley. And now, this week's question:
Monday, September 29, 2014
Paulie!
Over the past 15 years, there has been one constant on the city's South Side. Between new stadium names, managerial shakeups, good seasons, bad seasons, and everything in between, White Sox fans have always been able to count on seeing Paul Konerko step up to the plate for the team. Yesterday, Paulie played his final game as a member of the team, capping off a career that has seen him bring a World Series title to the South Side, as well as make a name for himself. It all started out in 1994 when he was drafted by the Dodgers, entering into their farm system and briefly making it to the big league squad before being traded to the Reds. After spending a few games in Cincinnati, he ended up coming over to the Chicago White Sox.
In 2000, he made his arrival known by helping the Sox make it to the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Even though they were swept in the first round, Paulie had made his impression. In 2005 the team returned to the postseason. That venture was slightly more successful. Konerko made an instrumental impact on the ALCS, driving in several runs and punching their ticket to the World Series. Once they got there, Konerko made another impact, smacking a Grand Slam homer to motivate the Sox and helping them to a sweep of the Astros. At their victory rally, Konerko produced another memorable moment:
After the departure of Frank Thomas, Konerko became the face of the franchise, and he had several more special moments left in his career. In 2008 he became the final opposing player to hit a home run in Yankee Stadium. The next year he partnered with Jermaine Dye to become the first ever players to both hit their 300th home run in the same game. Late in the 2010 season, he was hit by a pitch in Minnesota, which led to a contentious conclusion to the game. In 2011 he was elected to his 5th All-Star Game in the midst of a season where he hit 30 homers and had 105 RBIs. After Ozzie Guillen's departure following the season, Kenny Williams even considered making him player-manager. Ultimately he decided against it and hired Robin Ventura, but Konerko remained a valued team-mate. He announced that this 2014 season would be his last, and wrapped up his baseball career having played all but 81 of his 2,348 career games with the White Sox.
In 2000, he made his arrival known by helping the Sox make it to the playoffs for the first time since 1993. Even though they were swept in the first round, Paulie had made his impression. In 2005 the team returned to the postseason. That venture was slightly more successful. Konerko made an instrumental impact on the ALCS, driving in several runs and punching their ticket to the World Series. Once they got there, Konerko made another impact, smacking a Grand Slam homer to motivate the Sox and helping them to a sweep of the Astros. At their victory rally, Konerko produced another memorable moment:
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Peering Across the Cheddar Curtain: Bears Week Day 1
When it comes to rivalries in the National Football League(and Bears lore), there is none more prominent than that which is separated by the Cheddar Curtain. The Chicago Bears and the Green Bay Packers have shared a deep animosity ever since the dawn of the NFL. Their first game against one another occurred in 1921. They've faced off 187 times since then. George Halas tried to get the Packers thrown out of the league back in the day. Both teams have experienced periods of dominance over the other. They hold a combined 22 NFL Championships. They've played some great games over the years, and here are some highlights:
1921 saw the first game ever between the rivals, with the Bears prevailing for the first time by a score of 20-0. 3 years later, the first ever ejection for fighting during a game occurred in a Bears-Packers match up. In 1941, the two teams split the regular season series, but the Bears defeated the Packers in the first-ever playoff game between the two franchises. In 1962, the Packers beat the Bears 49-0, before repeating that very same score in another game 6 weeks later. 1971 saw a game with all of 2 points being scored, those coming against the Packers thanks to a safety.
With the dawn of the 1980s, there was a dawn of the great years for the Bears. It all started on December 7, 1980, when the Packers came to Chicago and proceeded to get blown out. By the 4th Quarter, Green Bay was pretty well beaten, and had trotted out their backup QB. Much like the Honey Badger, the Monsters of the Midway didn't care. They still ran a full-strength blitz defense and went on to score two more touchdowns. When the smoke cleared, the Bears had won by a score of 61-7. Needless to say, the Packers were pissed. The Bears had been out for blood, as well as revenge. The coach of the Bears had been unceremoniously fired by The Pack years before, and had an axe to grind. After the game, Dan Hampton said that the loss "couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of pricks." The rest of the decade saw a long period of Bears dominance, with Chicago not losing a single game from 1984 to 1988.
The streak was broken in 1989 with a controversial game that saw the Packers take advantage of a little-used NFL rule. There was so much consternation over the game that Da Coach himself ordered an asterisk placed in front of the score in team publications. But that was just a prelude, as the 1990s brought about a new era of dominance(and sexting) in Green Bay when Brett Favre took his first snaps as Quarterback. From 1994 to 1998, the Packers won every single game played.
On November 7, 1999 the Bears squared off against the Packers for the first rivalry game of the season. Somewhat more significantly, this was the first game since the untimely passing of Walter Payton. In an emotional struggle, the Bears prevailed by a score of 14-13. 2002 saw the series go on the road to Memorial Stadium in Champaign, as Soldier Field was being renovated at the time. 2008 saw the coldest game ever to take place at Soldier Field, and a game that went right down to the wire, and then beyond. The Bears eventually won it on a Robbie Gould field goal in overtime.
In 2011, the Bears and Packers met up for only the second time ever in the Playoffs. The teams met up at Soldier Field on the 23rd of January. The Packers jumped out to an early lead, and then Jay Cutler lamed up. Even though the backup came in and performed admirably, the Packers still wound up winning the game and a trip to the Super Bowl, which they ended up winning. Over the 9 decades that they have played each other, both sides have proven time and again that this is the premier rivalry in the National Football League. Those two teams face off again today. And so, in the spirit of the rivalry, I leave you with this image:
1921 saw the first game ever between the rivals, with the Bears prevailing for the first time by a score of 20-0. 3 years later, the first ever ejection for fighting during a game occurred in a Bears-Packers match up. In 1941, the two teams split the regular season series, but the Bears defeated the Packers in the first-ever playoff game between the two franchises. In 1962, the Packers beat the Bears 49-0, before repeating that very same score in another game 6 weeks later. 1971 saw a game with all of 2 points being scored, those coming against the Packers thanks to a safety.
With the dawn of the 1980s, there was a dawn of the great years for the Bears. It all started on December 7, 1980, when the Packers came to Chicago and proceeded to get blown out. By the 4th Quarter, Green Bay was pretty well beaten, and had trotted out their backup QB. Much like the Honey Badger, the Monsters of the Midway didn't care. They still ran a full-strength blitz defense and went on to score two more touchdowns. When the smoke cleared, the Bears had won by a score of 61-7. Needless to say, the Packers were pissed. The Bears had been out for blood, as well as revenge. The coach of the Bears had been unceremoniously fired by The Pack years before, and had an axe to grind. After the game, Dan Hampton said that the loss "couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of pricks." The rest of the decade saw a long period of Bears dominance, with Chicago not losing a single game from 1984 to 1988.
The streak was broken in 1989 with a controversial game that saw the Packers take advantage of a little-used NFL rule. There was so much consternation over the game that Da Coach himself ordered an asterisk placed in front of the score in team publications. But that was just a prelude, as the 1990s brought about a new era of dominance(and sexting) in Green Bay when Brett Favre took his first snaps as Quarterback. From 1994 to 1998, the Packers won every single game played.
On November 7, 1999 the Bears squared off against the Packers for the first rivalry game of the season. Somewhat more significantly, this was the first game since the untimely passing of Walter Payton. In an emotional struggle, the Bears prevailed by a score of 14-13. 2002 saw the series go on the road to Memorial Stadium in Champaign, as Soldier Field was being renovated at the time. 2008 saw the coldest game ever to take place at Soldier Field, and a game that went right down to the wire, and then beyond. The Bears eventually won it on a Robbie Gould field goal in overtime.
In 2011, the Bears and Packers met up for only the second time ever in the Playoffs. The teams met up at Soldier Field on the 23rd of January. The Packers jumped out to an early lead, and then Jay Cutler lamed up. Even though the backup came in and performed admirably, the Packers still wound up winning the game and a trip to the Super Bowl, which they ended up winning. Over the 9 decades that they have played each other, both sides have proven time and again that this is the premier rivalry in the National Football League. Those two teams face off again today. And so, in the spirit of the rivalry, I leave you with this image:
Saturday, September 27, 2014
The Girl on the Building
The Chicago Board of Trade casts an imposing figure at the intersection of LaSalle and Jackson. But one of its more unique attributes cannot be seen from street level. In fact, you would need a bird's-eye view to see it. Perched atop the building is a statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture. Interestingly enough, that statue was modeled after a person. What is even more interesting is that we know who that person was. Her name was Madelyn La Salle, one of several daughters of a local businessman. The sculptor saw her one day and decided that she had to be his model. After several sessions, the likeness was done, and Ceres was realized in 31 feet of aluminum atop the Board of Trade. La Salle's life didn't cease to be interesting there however. She lived on for another 73 years, a life that saw her voted Miss Cook County, get married to a polo-playing playboy, open an art gallery, marry the famed bandleader Ted Fiorito, and eventually move out to California. She finally passed away at the age of 87 in 2001, but not before living a full life-and giving the city of Chicago yet another of its many architectural icons.
Friday, September 26, 2014
A Bovine Oasis in The Loop
When you're in the loop, you expect to see the usual stuff: office buildings, elevated tracks, restaurants, bars, busy commuters/tourists/residents enjoying the downtown ambiance, and even the occasional indigent individual. One thing you wouldn't expect to see are cows(well, except for that one time in 1999). And you're right, there are no cows on the city. But there is a cow path.
It all goes back to those days far in the past(before the city was even incorporated) when Chicago was just a glorified frontier village with a Fort. People started coning to the city in droves, and a development boom kicked off. Suddenly properties in the future area of the Loop were being snapped up like hotcakes. By the time 1844 came around, the market was in full boom mode. This was when local farmer Willard Jones decided to take a piece of the action for himself, and began selling off parcels of his land. However, he needed to look out for his cattle and still ensure a clear route to take them to pasture. So in all the deals he made, he included an easement that provided for a clear path to bring the cattle back and forth. Chicago boomed, Chicago burned, and Chicago rose from the ashes. Old Farmer Jones stayed loyal to his cattle until he eventually passed on. The 20th Century dawned and the Loop was certainly no place to be raising cattle anymore. But in 1925, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Jones' easement was still a legally binding contract which developers had to respect.
To this day, you can still see evidence of a cow path in the Loop if you know where to look. It may be an unusually large alley, an out of place gap in the buildings, or even a locked black door in the middle of a row of shops, as can be seen at 100 W. Monroe. Over the years, the Illinois Livestock Exposition would periodically bring cows to this area for photo ops, startling office workers in the area. A sign that used to mark the path disappeared several years ago, but the evidence is still there, providing yet another link to Chicago's frontier past.
It all goes back to those days far in the past(before the city was even incorporated) when Chicago was just a glorified frontier village with a Fort. People started coning to the city in droves, and a development boom kicked off. Suddenly properties in the future area of the Loop were being snapped up like hotcakes. By the time 1844 came around, the market was in full boom mode. This was when local farmer Willard Jones decided to take a piece of the action for himself, and began selling off parcels of his land. However, he needed to look out for his cattle and still ensure a clear route to take them to pasture. So in all the deals he made, he included an easement that provided for a clear path to bring the cattle back and forth. Chicago boomed, Chicago burned, and Chicago rose from the ashes. Old Farmer Jones stayed loyal to his cattle until he eventually passed on. The 20th Century dawned and the Loop was certainly no place to be raising cattle anymore. But in 1925, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Jones' easement was still a legally binding contract which developers had to respect.
To this day, you can still see evidence of a cow path in the Loop if you know where to look. It may be an unusually large alley, an out of place gap in the buildings, or even a locked black door in the middle of a row of shops, as can be seen at 100 W. Monroe. Over the years, the Illinois Livestock Exposition would periodically bring cows to this area for photo ops, startling office workers in the area. A sign that used to mark the path disappeared several years ago, but the evidence is still there, providing yet another link to Chicago's frontier past.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Poopgate
On August 8, 2004, several people taking one of the many tours of the Chicago River got way more than they bargained for. In fact, it could be said that they had a downright shitty experience. And it all had to do with the Dave Matthews Band. No, their music isn't that bad(I actually think their stuff is pretty good, but that's just me talking), but the judgment of one of their bus drivers might have been.
On that day the bus was going throughout the city and crossing the Kinzie Street bridge when driver Stefan Wohl decided to empty the septic tanks on the bus. Now dumping waste into the Chicago River is a time-honored tradition just as old as the corruption(it was even the indirect cause of reversing the river in the first place), but being that it was 2004 and not 1904, that kind of stuff was frowned upon. Additionally, that kind of stuff is really frowned upon when there happens to be an open-air tour boat crossing underneath the bridge at the moment you let loose. Long story short, about 800 pounds of human waste fell onto the boat, the Chicago Architecture Foundation had to issue refunds as well as decontaminate the boat, the bus driver was fired, and the band wound up paying around $300,000 in restitution to various sources.
Ironically, the band was nowhere close to its bus at the time of the incident. Dave Matthews himself was on a plane and didn't know a thing about it. All he knew was that some bus had dumped its tanks on top of a tour bus, which seemed slightly humorous at the time-until he touched down and realized that one of his buses was responsible for the incident. While definitely remorseful, he does offer some thoughts on it. "If Snoop Dogg had done it, it probably would have raised his record sales, but it applies differently to everyone".
On that day the bus was going throughout the city and crossing the Kinzie Street bridge when driver Stefan Wohl decided to empty the septic tanks on the bus. Now dumping waste into the Chicago River is a time-honored tradition just as old as the corruption(it was even the indirect cause of reversing the river in the first place), but being that it was 2004 and not 1904, that kind of stuff was frowned upon. Additionally, that kind of stuff is really frowned upon when there happens to be an open-air tour boat crossing underneath the bridge at the moment you let loose. Long story short, about 800 pounds of human waste fell onto the boat, the Chicago Architecture Foundation had to issue refunds as well as decontaminate the boat, the bus driver was fired, and the band wound up paying around $300,000 in restitution to various sources.
Ironically, the band was nowhere close to its bus at the time of the incident. Dave Matthews himself was on a plane and didn't know a thing about it. All he knew was that some bus had dumped its tanks on top of a tour bus, which seemed slightly humorous at the time-until he touched down and realized that one of his buses was responsible for the incident. While definitely remorseful, he does offer some thoughts on it. "If Snoop Dogg had done it, it probably would have raised his record sales, but it applies differently to everyone".
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
One Day in Chicago: Baseball Heartbreak
45 years ago today. September 24, 1969. Two sides of town, two groundbreaking moments, and two infamous stories that live on to this day.
In 1969, the Cubs were entering Leo Durocher's 4th season as manager. After coming in with a thud in a 101-loss first season(the last time before 2012 that the team would lose over 100 games), the team had performed better every year, culminating with an 84-78 record in the 1968 campaign. With the core back and getting hot at the right time, things looked great. Ernie Banks even said that "The Cubs will be fine in sixty-nine" And for the first several months of the season, it looked like Banks was right. They led the National League East for 155 days, a welcome sight for a fan base that hadn't seen postseason baseball since 1945. The team sent its entire infield to the 1969 All-Star Game, putting the world on notice that these Cubs were for real. All throughout the rest of the summer the team dominated. But then September reared its ugly, ugly head.
It all started when the Cubs were at Shea Stadium playing the Mets on September 2nd. Ron Santo was in the on-deck circle when a cat got loose and made its way onto the field. Not a big deal, right? Did I mention that the cat was black? That was just the first nail in the coffin. After that you had Santo mercilessly castigating a young player for a rookie mistake, the Cubs going 18-27 down the stretch, Leo Durocher riding the players too hard for too long, day baseball, and before you knew what hit you, it was September 24, 1969, and the Mets won the NL East. The Cubs' postseason dreams were crushed. Those freakin' New York Mets. After coming on the scene in 1962 and setting the modern day record for futility with 120 losses(never fear 1899 Cleveland Spiders, your actual record will never be touched), they'd spent the next 6 seasons as the universal joke of Major League Baseball. Then they came out of nowhere in 1969, not only overtaking the Cubs, but also leapfrogging established powers like the St. Louis Cardinals to win the pennant and the World Series. The collapse of 1969 left the city and the fan base numb with shock and disappointment, and many fans of a certain age remember the Fall of 1969 like it was yesterday.
In 1969, the Cubs were entering Leo Durocher's 4th season as manager. After coming in with a thud in a 101-loss first season(the last time before 2012 that the team would lose over 100 games), the team had performed better every year, culminating with an 84-78 record in the 1968 campaign. With the core back and getting hot at the right time, things looked great. Ernie Banks even said that "The Cubs will be fine in sixty-nine" And for the first several months of the season, it looked like Banks was right. They led the National League East for 155 days, a welcome sight for a fan base that hadn't seen postseason baseball since 1945. The team sent its entire infield to the 1969 All-Star Game, putting the world on notice that these Cubs were for real. All throughout the rest of the summer the team dominated. But then September reared its ugly, ugly head.
It all started when the Cubs were at Shea Stadium playing the Mets on September 2nd. Ron Santo was in the on-deck circle when a cat got loose and made its way onto the field. Not a big deal, right? Did I mention that the cat was black? That was just the first nail in the coffin. After that you had Santo mercilessly castigating a young player for a rookie mistake, the Cubs going 18-27 down the stretch, Leo Durocher riding the players too hard for too long, day baseball, and before you knew what hit you, it was September 24, 1969, and the Mets won the NL East. The Cubs' postseason dreams were crushed. Those freakin' New York Mets. After coming on the scene in 1962 and setting the modern day record for futility with 120 losses(never fear 1899 Cleveland Spiders, your actual record will never be touched), they'd spent the next 6 seasons as the universal joke of Major League Baseball. Then they came out of nowhere in 1969, not only overtaking the Cubs, but also leapfrogging established powers like the St. Louis Cardinals to win the pennant and the World Series. The collapse of 1969 left the city and the fan base numb with shock and disappointment, and many fans of a certain age remember the Fall of 1969 like it was yesterday.
One Day in Chicago: Courtroom Drama
45 years ago today. September 24, 1969. Two sides of town, two groundbreaking moments, and two infamous stories that live on to this day.
In 1968, the youth of Chicago gave the Democratic Party a welcome that they would not soon forget. Amidst all the fracas and police riots, several people were arrested. More than a year later, on September 24, 1969, 8 of them were brought up on charges, and the circus was all set to go.
This was where the flippant and authority-challenging Abbie Hoffman would run headlong into the Hon. Julius Hoffman, with all the showboating, disrespect, and theatrics that you could imagine. This was where Bobby Seale, after going through two different lawyers, eventually found himself bound and gagged in the courtroom, and soon thereafter dropped from the case. This was where Judge Hoffman seemed hell-bent on obtaining justice his way and his way only, going so far as to briefly jail two lawyers who were ill prepared, and even threatening to detain the jury until they reached a verdict. This was the trial that featured legal professionals, experts, and counter-culture luminaries all sharing the courtroom. This was where the outside of the courthouse was just as much of a circus as inside, with the roster including such groups as infamous 1970s terror group The Weather Underground. This was the trial that cemented the Chicago Seven's place in history. This was a trial for the ages.
But this wasn't even the most pressing thought on the minds of many Chicagoans 45 years ago today. For that, we must turn to the North Side and the type of heartbreak that strikes sports fans but once in a generation. We must turn, to the 1969 Chicago Cubs.
In 1968, the youth of Chicago gave the Democratic Party a welcome that they would not soon forget. Amidst all the fracas and police riots, several people were arrested. More than a year later, on September 24, 1969, 8 of them were brought up on charges, and the circus was all set to go.
This was where the flippant and authority-challenging Abbie Hoffman would run headlong into the Hon. Julius Hoffman, with all the showboating, disrespect, and theatrics that you could imagine. This was where Bobby Seale, after going through two different lawyers, eventually found himself bound and gagged in the courtroom, and soon thereafter dropped from the case. This was where Judge Hoffman seemed hell-bent on obtaining justice his way and his way only, going so far as to briefly jail two lawyers who were ill prepared, and even threatening to detain the jury until they reached a verdict. This was the trial that featured legal professionals, experts, and counter-culture luminaries all sharing the courtroom. This was where the outside of the courthouse was just as much of a circus as inside, with the roster including such groups as infamous 1970s terror group The Weather Underground. This was the trial that cemented the Chicago Seven's place in history. This was a trial for the ages.
But this wasn't even the most pressing thought on the minds of many Chicagoans 45 years ago today. For that, we must turn to the North Side and the type of heartbreak that strikes sports fans but once in a generation. We must turn, to the 1969 Chicago Cubs.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Trivia Tuesday: A Heroic Teenager
It's Tuesday. You know what that means, time for more trivia. First, last week's answer: The park to which I am referring to is Chopin Park, located in the Portage Park community on the city's northwest side. And now, this week's question:
On July 6, 1881, 200 people almost died in a train crash near Moingona, Iowa. Who was responsible for their salvation? (and what in the world does this have to do with Chicago?)
As always, make sure to check back next week for the answer, as well as the next question. Happy sleuthing!
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Friends in Windy Places
The last time that country superstar Garth Brooks played in Chicago, we hadn't heard of Britney, barely knew anything about Justin, and knew way too much about Bill and Monica. Times certainly have changed. Brooks has begun his comeback tour, and he got the ball rolling right here in Chicago. To kick things off, he played an 11 concert engagement over at the Allstate Arena which his fans gobbled up like a good home-cooked meal. His fans weren't the only ones affected though. The Chicago Sky were forced to play their home games of the WNBA Finals at the UIC Pavilion because Garth was taking up the Allstate with his comeback shows. But Garth did more than just play old hits and kick the Sky out of their home court.
Before one of the shows, he met backstage with roughly 20 sports figures who have worked with his charity over the past several years. Two of those attendees just so happened to be coaches with the Chicago Fire, who went on to present Brooks with a team jersey during the meet and greet. After that, it was time to take the stage. The house lights went out, and all of a sudden a skull and crossbones appeared. After a light show and rousing intro by his band, Garth came out to perform one of his newest songs. After going back to some old standards, Garth had a small mishap when he fell onstage. While on a riser in the middle of a song, he tried to jump off, but misjudged the landing and took a spill. But he handled it like a champ, rolling into it and hopping back up on his feet. All told, Garth Brooks is back, and Chicago loves him.
And now, a little ditty on your way out:
Before one of the shows, he met backstage with roughly 20 sports figures who have worked with his charity over the past several years. Two of those attendees just so happened to be coaches with the Chicago Fire, who went on to present Brooks with a team jersey during the meet and greet. After that, it was time to take the stage. The house lights went out, and all of a sudden a skull and crossbones appeared. After a light show and rousing intro by his band, Garth came out to perform one of his newest songs. After going back to some old standards, Garth had a small mishap when he fell onstage. While on a riser in the middle of a song, he tried to jump off, but misjudged the landing and took a spill. But he handled it like a champ, rolling into it and hopping back up on his feet. All told, Garth Brooks is back, and Chicago loves him.
And now, a little ditty on your way out:
Friday, September 19, 2014
Remember, Remember, the 2nd of November
Over the past several years, one name has become synonymous with death-defying high altitude stunts more than any other: Nik Wallenda. Wallenda is a 7th generation member of the Flying Wallendas, a band of aerialists with a legacy stretching back to the start of the 20th Century. Besides holding 7 Guinness World Records, Nik is perhaps best known for the stunt that he pulled 2 years ago, when he walked over Niagara Falls. This fall, he takes his act to Chicago. On November 2nd, he will attempt to cross the Chicago River on a tightrope 500 feet in the air, stretched between the Leo Burnett Building on one side, and Marina City on the other. We'll be there to update you on the potential success of his endeavor, so stay tuned for November 2...
Thursday, September 18, 2014
What a Riot!
This past weekend, we saw one more signpost that summer is almost over, the annual return of Riot Fest to its Humboldt Park abode. Celebrating its 10th edition this year, the fest has grown from a few bands playing in a scattering of area clubs to more than 160,000 fans cramming into the outdoor venues. Many different acts graced the stages, ranging from Dashboard Confessional, The National, Wu-Tang Clan, to acts like Patti Smith, but one of the most highly anticipated bands came directly in the face of international infamy.
I am specifically referring to the Russian femme-punk group Pussy Riot, fresh out of a 20-month stint in a Russian jail for daring to criticize the Putin Regime(you mean there's an act out there that got sent up the river for a good reason rather than dealing drugs/other shit like that? Yes Virginia, I guess there is a Santa Claus after all). The panel featured several other punk names, from such acts as Black Flag, Bad Religion, and Rise Against. On the final day of the festival, Patti Smith took the stage to perform a moving set as she paid homage to her late husband, while at the same time extolling the youth of today to not lose their edge: "We do have the power!...Don't forget it!...People, you can change the f*****g world!"
Of course, having 160,000 people roaming around a wet field all weekend isn't going to be very good for the field. In fact, so bad that the field was a wet, muddy mess afterwards. There was scheduled to be a walk through today to see how bad the damage is, but last year's cleanup cost $54,000. With this year's increased attendance, costs could only go up. So we'll see how that goes. Otherwise, Riot Fest proved to be yet another successful festival in the city's crowded music calendar.
I am specifically referring to the Russian femme-punk group Pussy Riot, fresh out of a 20-month stint in a Russian jail for daring to criticize the Putin Regime(you mean there's an act out there that got sent up the river for a good reason rather than dealing drugs/other shit like that? Yes Virginia, I guess there is a Santa Claus after all). The panel featured several other punk names, from such acts as Black Flag, Bad Religion, and Rise Against. On the final day of the festival, Patti Smith took the stage to perform a moving set as she paid homage to her late husband, while at the same time extolling the youth of today to not lose their edge: "We do have the power!...Don't forget it!...People, you can change the f*****g world!"
Of course, having 160,000 people roaming around a wet field all weekend isn't going to be very good for the field. In fact, so bad that the field was a wet, muddy mess afterwards. There was scheduled to be a walk through today to see how bad the damage is, but last year's cleanup cost $54,000. With this year's increased attendance, costs could only go up. So we'll see how that goes. Otherwise, Riot Fest proved to be yet another successful festival in the city's crowded music calendar.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Everybody Gets a Car!
On September 13, 2004, Oprah Winfrey kicked off the 19th Season of her acclaimed talk show with Harpo Studios filled to the brim with 276 screaming fans. As the episode went on, Oprah was teasing some big thing happening at the end of the show, leading all the viewers on and making them wonder what it could possibly be. Then the moment came, and Oprah announced that 11 members of her audience were going home with brand a new Pontiac G6. As a final act, she distributed boxes to every member of the studio audience under the pretense of one of the boxes containing keys to a final car being given away. She even told the audience: "Do not open it[the box). Do not shake it,". And then, they opened the box. And one lucky audience member found the keys to a new car. And then the person sitting next to them found the same thing. And then the next guy too. And so on and so forth until...Well let's just let Oprah say what happened next, shall we?
Yes, all remixed and everything. Alas, the aftermath of the giveaway wasn't nearly as rosy as the buildup to it. You see, all 276 models of the Pontiac G6 that were given away that day were prizes. And thanks to the quirks of U.S. tax law, the winners(audience members) had to pay taxes on the value of those cars, which worked out to roughly $6,000. Some winners chose to either forfeit the cars, or sell them to pay the tax bill. Of course some people kept the cars, and a few of them are even still on the road today 10 years later(On a separate note, in 2010 Oprah did the same kind of giveaway, except this time the taxes were taken care of already.) While many of those cars aren't with their original winners anymore, the Oprah Winfrey show has been off the air for over 3 years, and the Pontiac brand has even been shuttered by GM, the legacy of that day and its immediate impact will live on for years to come.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Trivia Tuesday: Classical Influences
Okay everybody, it's time for more trivia. But first, the answer to last week's question: Who was ultimately fingered for the Tylenol killings? While the FBI took hard looks at several suspects, such as James Lewis, Roger Arnold, and even the Unabomber himself, nobody has actually ever been convicted of the crimes. Okay, now that that's done, here is the question for this week:
There is a park in the city(that I have mentioned on here) that is named after a classical composer. Which composer does it honor, and where is it?
We'll be back next week with the answer, and another question. Cheers!
Friday, September 12, 2014
Chicago 365 Playoff Central: Mercury Poisoning
Coming back to Chicago, the Sky were up against the wall, having dug themselves an 0-2 hole against the Phoenix Mercury. But their home floor was waiting for them. Well, not exactly their home floor. Due to the Garth Brooks concert(more on that later), the Sky were booted out of their normal home at the Allstate Arena, and trekked it over to the West Side to play at the UIC Pavilion(which was their first home upon joining the league). Regardless of the venue change, their fans still showed up to cheer them on as they made a bid to avoid the sweep.
One thing that the Sky had going for them was the absence of Mercury star Brittney Griner, who was sidelined due to an eye injury she sustained in Game 2. The Sky came out of the gates hard and fast, and were hanging even with the Mercury through the first quarter. By halftime, Phoenix had a 2 point lead. But in the 3rd, the combined efforts of Chicago's Big Three(who put up a total of 62 points) started to show when the Sky ended the quarter with a 63-61 lead. It all came down to the 4th Quarter, where the Sky made one final stand to save their season. Alas, the effort came up short, and they wound up losing to Phoenix 87-82, allowing the Mercury to capture their 3rd WNBA title in 7 years.
One thing that the Sky had going for them was the absence of Mercury star Brittney Griner, who was sidelined due to an eye injury she sustained in Game 2. The Sky came out of the gates hard and fast, and were hanging even with the Mercury through the first quarter. By halftime, Phoenix had a 2 point lead. But in the 3rd, the combined efforts of Chicago's Big Three(who put up a total of 62 points) started to show when the Sky ended the quarter with a 63-61 lead. It all came down to the 4th Quarter, where the Sky made one final stand to save their season. Alas, the effort came up short, and they wound up losing to Phoenix 87-82, allowing the Mercury to capture their 3rd WNBA title in 7 years.
Thursday, September 11, 2014
Bacon!
Like all good things, this summer must come to an end, and the same goes for our summertime coverage. I'll be keeping the party going for the next week and a half, before wrapping our summer up on September 21(you know, around the time of the actual end of summer). But for now, let's take a look at one of the most important food groups out there-Bacon.
This past weekend, the Great American Bacon Festival took up residence in the Great Hall of Union Station. Put on by Red Frog Events(who have produced several different events in the city over the past few years, but they might be best known as the folks behind the Warrior Dash), the event celebrated bacon and the love of bacon in Chicago. With such fare as Hickory Smoked Bacon, Jalapeño Bacon, Canadian Bacon, and Dry Cured Bacon, the fest conspired to tug at the taste buds(and cholesterol levels) of all Chicagoans. A spokesman for Red Frog put it best when he said that "We as a company love bacon...who doesn't?...We don't think there's an end to the love of bacon in Chicago." He's right, there most certainly is not. And with so many bacon-infused dishes, how could there be? Oh yes, I did say bacon-infused dishes. Here are some examples:
This past weekend, the Great American Bacon Festival took up residence in the Great Hall of Union Station. Put on by Red Frog Events(who have produced several different events in the city over the past few years, but they might be best known as the folks behind the Warrior Dash), the event celebrated bacon and the love of bacon in Chicago. With such fare as Hickory Smoked Bacon, Jalapeño Bacon, Canadian Bacon, and Dry Cured Bacon, the fest conspired to tug at the taste buds(and cholesterol levels) of all Chicagoans. A spokesman for Red Frog put it best when he said that "We as a company love bacon...who doesn't?...We don't think there's an end to the love of bacon in Chicago." He's right, there most certainly is not. And with so many bacon-infused dishes, how could there be? Oh yes, I did say bacon-infused dishes. Here are some examples:
- Smoky Bacon & Quinoa Salad
- Cajun Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
- Smoked Bacon Chili
- Bacon Caramel Corn
- Smoked Gouda Bacon Mac n' Cheese
- Bacon Cheddar Mashed Potato Croquet
- Moroccan Spice Rubbed Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnut
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Chicago 365 Playoff Central: 0-2,(and once again) in the hole
After losing the first game of the series, the Sky were back for Game 2. Plus, after missing most of Game 1, Elena Delle Donne was back at full strength for Game 2. Additionally, the Chicago Sky came out of the gate much more physically. Unfortunately, all that was for naught, as the Mercury drubbed Chicago for the most lopsided win in WNBA Finals history. Specifically, Phoenix capitalized on a 15-2 run to put the Sky away for good. After suffering a few facial injuries, Brittney Griner put the team on her back and rallied for the victory. Even though Delle Donne scored 22 points, the combined effort of the Sky still fell short. Right now the Mercury is up 2-0, and one win away from locking up their 3rd title. The pivotal Game 3 tips off on Friday over at the UIC Pavilion.
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Trivia Tuesday: The Tylenol Killer
Okay guys, here's another round of trivia. First last week's question: There were several buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire, but the 3 I've mentioned in this blog are St. Michael's Church, the Water Tower, and the Pumping Station. And now, for this week's question:
In 1982, the city was gripped in fear over the lacing of several bottles of Tylenol with cyanide. Eventually the killings stopped. Who was ultimately found guilty of the crimes?
We'll be back next week with the answer, and the next question. And keep an eye open on Thursday, for a special edition of Trivia.
The Memorial Fountain
If you've indulged in one of our city's many river cruises, you may have noticed a giant jet of water shooting over the river at various times throughout the day. Well, what you have seen is not a fluke, but it is one of Chicago's more unique memorials. Built in 1989, the Nicholas J. Melas Memorial Fountain was erected to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The creation of the MWRD came about at a time when the Chicago River had devolved into a disgusting and disease-ridden cesspool that emptied straight into the source of the city's drinking water. After one too many cholera outbreaks(I'm not joking) the city decided to reroute the river. The MWRD was created for that, and it worked. The fountain itself sprays across the river for 10 Minutes every hour on the hour. It was named after Nicholas Melas, who had been a member of the MWRD for 30 years, including the last 18 as President.
Monday, September 8, 2014
Chicago 365 Playoff Central: The Sky is the Limit
After JRW's success on the Little League diamond, guess what? We get even more playoff action, this time coming to us from the land of the Women's National Basketball Association. The Chicago Sky have spent most of the time since their founding in 2006 on the outside of the playoff picture. Not recently though. Last season the sky made the playoffs but lost in the first round(the WNBA runs its season from May to August with the playoffs coming in September). This year the Sky returned to the postseason and rolled through the first two rounds, beating both Atlanta and Indiana 2 games to 1. And so, they've now made their way to the WNBA finals, which is a best-of-5 format. They're up against the Phoenix Mercury(a founding member of the WNBA when it started in 1997), who've made the playoffs 9 times and have 2 titles to show for it. Game 1 of the Finals was contested yesterday, and the results were not beneficial. The Mercury took it to us early and often, and the Sky ended up losing the game 83-62. It didn't help that Elena Delle Donne was still suffering from an injured back and only played 11 minutes of the game. Sylvia Fowles picked up some of the slack by chipping in for 19 points, but the combined forces of Candice Dupree, Diana Taurasi, and Brittney Griner proved to be too much for the Sky. Game 2 is tomorrow night in Phoenix, and we'll hope for a better result then.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Trivia Wednesday: Sturdy Construction
You know what time it is: Trivia Time! First, last week's answer: The boy murdered by Leopold and Loeb was named Bobby Franks. And now, this week's question:
As destructive as it was, several buildings survived the Great Chicago Fire. I've mentioned several of them in passing. Name one of them.
Obviously, multiple answers will be accepted. Check back next week for the answer and another question!
Monday, September 1, 2014
The Chicago Way for a Chicago Union: Labor Day Digest 6/6
After 5 entries about Labor History in Chicago, it's time for one final post. As a recap, so far today we have talked about The Jungle, the Pullman Strike, Samuel Gompers, the Haymarket Affair, and International Worker's Day(aka May Day). But now, we wrap it all up by getting acquainted with the Teamsters...
Ever since 1887, the American Federation of Labor had been organizing groups of teamsters(the term is derived from workers who would lead teams of draft horses that moved goods from place to place) into groups to better advocate for themselves and their causes. In 1898, the AFL created a separate division specifically for Teamsters. However, this failed to satisfy a group of Teamsters in Chicago, who created the Teamsters National Union in 1901. 2 years later, the AFL arranged for its teamster union to merge with the Teamsters, creating the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which is what the union is known as to this day. Even in the very first election held by the Teamsters, the future corruption of the union was evident, as the man elected President of the Teamsters(Cornelius Shea) was accused of embezzlement prior to the election.
Once taking office, the accusations against Shea were borne out in the actions of the Teamsters. As the Teamsters were the union representing drivers, a strike by them could quite literally paralyze commerce throughout an entire city. During Shea's administration, the Teamsters would routinely abuse this trait by soliciting bribes from city officials to avert Teamster strikes. The Teamsters did participate in some legitimate actions during Shea's time, including strikes in support of railway workers and meat cutters. In 1905, the union walked out in support of tailors at Montgomery Ward. Everything went great, until it was revealed that Cornelius Shea had spent the duration of the strike carousing in a brothel hosting lavish parties all in the company of his 19-year-old mistress. This marked the beginning of the end of the Shea era, and his successor was elected President in 1907.
For the next 45 years, Daniel Tobin took the helm, a period of time that saw the union reach new heights in both membership and levels of corruption. By the dawn of the 1950s, the Teamsters' corruption reached new levels when they started mingling with organized crime. It was also during this time that the Teamsters started trying to absorb other unions into their ranks. This started with the International Longshoreman's Association, a union that was even more corrupt than the Teamsters, even to the point of electing a known mob associate as VP of the union. This attempt was vetoed by the AFL, but another attempt was made to merge with the Brewery Workers Union. When this was vetoed by the Brewers, the Teamsters raided the union anyway, an action that drew harsh criticism from the AFL, which wound up passing an anti-raiding bill in the wake of the incident.
In 1957, the Teamsters elected Jimmy Hoffa to be their president, and he once again upheld the status quo of corruption that was the Teamsters' trademark. This time, the graft of choice was taking monies from the union's pension plans and funneling them to the Mafia in order to aid their erection of Las Vegas as we know it today. This involvement with The Mob got Hoffa caught up in the anti-organized crime crusade that was being led by Robert Kennedy, and Hoffa was sent to prison in 1967. President Nixon pardoned him in 1972, but on the condition that he suspend all involvement with the Teamsters until 1980, at which point Hoffa could make a comeback. This was not to be however, as Hoffa disappeared without a trace in 1975, never to be heard from again.
In more recent times, the Teamsters have tried to initiate reforms, stemming from the organization of individual union members into groups such as Teamsters for a Democratic Union, which has been a force since the late 1970s. Over the years, the TDU has fought for and won much greater transparency at all levels of the Teamsters. No longer could upper management strike deals on contracts and pensions in smoke-filled rooms and keep the everyday union man in the dark. Also in this period, the rank-and-file teamsters won the right to directly elect the top leadership of the union for the first time. Today, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters still advocates for the rights of haulers everywhere, while continuing to clean up its checkered past
Ever since 1887, the American Federation of Labor had been organizing groups of teamsters(the term is derived from workers who would lead teams of draft horses that moved goods from place to place) into groups to better advocate for themselves and their causes. In 1898, the AFL created a separate division specifically for Teamsters. However, this failed to satisfy a group of Teamsters in Chicago, who created the Teamsters National Union in 1901. 2 years later, the AFL arranged for its teamster union to merge with the Teamsters, creating the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which is what the union is known as to this day. Even in the very first election held by the Teamsters, the future corruption of the union was evident, as the man elected President of the Teamsters(Cornelius Shea) was accused of embezzlement prior to the election.
Once taking office, the accusations against Shea were borne out in the actions of the Teamsters. As the Teamsters were the union representing drivers, a strike by them could quite literally paralyze commerce throughout an entire city. During Shea's administration, the Teamsters would routinely abuse this trait by soliciting bribes from city officials to avert Teamster strikes. The Teamsters did participate in some legitimate actions during Shea's time, including strikes in support of railway workers and meat cutters. In 1905, the union walked out in support of tailors at Montgomery Ward. Everything went great, until it was revealed that Cornelius Shea had spent the duration of the strike carousing in a brothel hosting lavish parties all in the company of his 19-year-old mistress. This marked the beginning of the end of the Shea era, and his successor was elected President in 1907.
For the next 45 years, Daniel Tobin took the helm, a period of time that saw the union reach new heights in both membership and levels of corruption. By the dawn of the 1950s, the Teamsters' corruption reached new levels when they started mingling with organized crime. It was also during this time that the Teamsters started trying to absorb other unions into their ranks. This started with the International Longshoreman's Association, a union that was even more corrupt than the Teamsters, even to the point of electing a known mob associate as VP of the union. This attempt was vetoed by the AFL, but another attempt was made to merge with the Brewery Workers Union. When this was vetoed by the Brewers, the Teamsters raided the union anyway, an action that drew harsh criticism from the AFL, which wound up passing an anti-raiding bill in the wake of the incident.
In 1957, the Teamsters elected Jimmy Hoffa to be their president, and he once again upheld the status quo of corruption that was the Teamsters' trademark. This time, the graft of choice was taking monies from the union's pension plans and funneling them to the Mafia in order to aid their erection of Las Vegas as we know it today. This involvement with The Mob got Hoffa caught up in the anti-organized crime crusade that was being led by Robert Kennedy, and Hoffa was sent to prison in 1967. President Nixon pardoned him in 1972, but on the condition that he suspend all involvement with the Teamsters until 1980, at which point Hoffa could make a comeback. This was not to be however, as Hoffa disappeared without a trace in 1975, never to be heard from again.
In more recent times, the Teamsters have tried to initiate reforms, stemming from the organization of individual union members into groups such as Teamsters for a Democratic Union, which has been a force since the late 1970s. Over the years, the TDU has fought for and won much greater transparency at all levels of the Teamsters. No longer could upper management strike deals on contracts and pensions in smoke-filled rooms and keep the everyday union man in the dark. Also in this period, the rank-and-file teamsters won the right to directly elect the top leadership of the union for the first time. Today, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters still advocates for the rights of haulers everywhere, while continuing to clean up its checkered past
May Day! May Day!: Labor Day Digest 5/6
For our pentultimate Labor Day post, I ask a question: Why is May 1 always commemorated with a smattering of rallies and protests across the nation? This is why.
As was mentioned in the entry about Haymarket, there are still commemorations nowadays in honor of the Haymarket Strike and the sacrifices made as part of it. In 1889, the Second International(a worldwide confederation of socialist groups) met for their First Congress in Paris. At this meeting it was decided that there should be a commemoration the following year of the Haymarket Affair. The holiday became a routine occurrence following the Second Congress in 1891.
By 1904, the holiday was going along strong, when the International Socialist Conference called upon all workers to stop work on May 1 so as to demonstrate for an 8-hour workday. Over the years, the working classes in many different countries tried to have May 1 recognized as an official holiday. In most of those countries, May 1 became officially recognized as Labor Day, a day set aside each year to celebrate the contributions of workers to society.
However, one obvious exception is the United States of America. In this case, President Grover Cleveland was worried that observing Labor Day on May 1 would give different Labor groups a reason to politicize the holiday as a commemoration of the Haymarket Affair. So instead, the United States adopted the first Monday in September as the official Labor Day holiday(this may or may not have been in commemoration of the recent cessation of the Pullman Strike). However, that hasn't stopped the date from being known as an annual day of protest. On May Day you can find groups organizing in support of many different causes. In 2006, the day was selected as the date of the Great American Boycott, a march advocating for Immigration Reform, and in 2012 it was celebrated with several marches and rallies, some of them led by members of Occupy Wall Street.
As was mentioned in the entry about Haymarket, there are still commemorations nowadays in honor of the Haymarket Strike and the sacrifices made as part of it. In 1889, the Second International(a worldwide confederation of socialist groups) met for their First Congress in Paris. At this meeting it was decided that there should be a commemoration the following year of the Haymarket Affair. The holiday became a routine occurrence following the Second Congress in 1891.
By 1904, the holiday was going along strong, when the International Socialist Conference called upon all workers to stop work on May 1 so as to demonstrate for an 8-hour workday. Over the years, the working classes in many different countries tried to have May 1 recognized as an official holiday. In most of those countries, May 1 became officially recognized as Labor Day, a day set aside each year to celebrate the contributions of workers to society.
However, one obvious exception is the United States of America. In this case, President Grover Cleveland was worried that observing Labor Day on May 1 would give different Labor groups a reason to politicize the holiday as a commemoration of the Haymarket Affair. So instead, the United States adopted the first Monday in September as the official Labor Day holiday(this may or may not have been in commemoration of the recent cessation of the Pullman Strike). However, that hasn't stopped the date from being known as an annual day of protest. On May Day you can find groups organizing in support of many different causes. In 2006, the day was selected as the date of the Great American Boycott, a march advocating for Immigration Reform, and in 2012 it was celebrated with several marches and rallies, some of them led by members of Occupy Wall Street.
Haymakers in the Haymarket: Labor Day Digest 4/6
Halfway down, halfway to go. Let's turn our eyes to Chicago's old Haymarket Square for our next entry.
If there's one thing that almost everyone who works has in common, it is the 8-hour workday. Some of us might work more than that on occasion, and some of us may work less, but 8 hours is the standard. But it wasn't always this way. The 8-hour workday is yet another result of the acts of unions throughout the years. Today we're talking about one particular instance where the 8-hour day was crusaded for.
It all starts in October of 1884, when the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions met and declared that by May 1, 1886, all employers would be using the 8-hour workday as a template for the hours of their employees. As the date approached and employers did nothing, the powers that be called for a general strike so as to show support for the 8-hour workday. On the morning of May 1, roughly 40,000 workers in Chicago walked off the job and started marching in favor of the new hours. On the third day of the strike, the workers gathered near the McCormick(a relative of the Tribune's McCormick) Machine Company plant and rallied there. They heard speeches from various people there, including several beseeching them to keep the peace. And up until that point, they did. And for the rest of that day, they did.
But on the 4th day of the rally, things started out pretty calmly. For that matter, even Mayor Carter Harrison Sr. stopped by for a time. Later on in the evening, the weather was worsening, so many folks went home. At about 10:30, the police came in to force the ceasing of the speeches. As the officers were advancing towards the stage, there was a small homemade bomb thrown directly in front of the officers. The force of the blast killed 7 officers, injured several more, and touched off a straight-up riot in the middle of the street.
In the fracas, more than 100 marchers were arrested. Eventually 8 of them were charged with various crimes carrying sentences up to and including the death penalty. 1 person was sent to prison for 15 years, while the other 7 were sentenced to die. While on Death Row, one of the condemned men committed suicide, while 2 more had their sentences commuted to life in prison(and were eventually given full pardons)by the governor of Illinois. On November 11, 1887, the remaining four men were hung, carrying out the death sentence.
In the years since then, the Haymarket Affair has become a common rallying cry and shibboleth amongst supporters of organized labor. In fact, one particular aspect of the strike is commemorated every year in May. There will be more on that in another entry later on this week though. For now, we see now that the Haymarket Affair is yet another linchpin in the history of organized labor coming to us from Chicago.
If there's one thing that almost everyone who works has in common, it is the 8-hour workday. Some of us might work more than that on occasion, and some of us may work less, but 8 hours is the standard. But it wasn't always this way. The 8-hour workday is yet another result of the acts of unions throughout the years. Today we're talking about one particular instance where the 8-hour day was crusaded for.
It all starts in October of 1884, when the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions met and declared that by May 1, 1886, all employers would be using the 8-hour workday as a template for the hours of their employees. As the date approached and employers did nothing, the powers that be called for a general strike so as to show support for the 8-hour workday. On the morning of May 1, roughly 40,000 workers in Chicago walked off the job and started marching in favor of the new hours. On the third day of the strike, the workers gathered near the McCormick(a relative of the Tribune's McCormick) Machine Company plant and rallied there. They heard speeches from various people there, including several beseeching them to keep the peace. And up until that point, they did. And for the rest of that day, they did.
But on the 4th day of the rally, things started out pretty calmly. For that matter, even Mayor Carter Harrison Sr. stopped by for a time. Later on in the evening, the weather was worsening, so many folks went home. At about 10:30, the police came in to force the ceasing of the speeches. As the officers were advancing towards the stage, there was a small homemade bomb thrown directly in front of the officers. The force of the blast killed 7 officers, injured several more, and touched off a straight-up riot in the middle of the street.
In the fracas, more than 100 marchers were arrested. Eventually 8 of them were charged with various crimes carrying sentences up to and including the death penalty. 1 person was sent to prison for 15 years, while the other 7 were sentenced to die. While on Death Row, one of the condemned men committed suicide, while 2 more had their sentences commuted to life in prison(and were eventually given full pardons)by the governor of Illinois. On November 11, 1887, the remaining four men were hung, carrying out the death sentence.
In the years since then, the Haymarket Affair has become a common rallying cry and shibboleth amongst supporters of organized labor. In fact, one particular aspect of the strike is commemorated every year in May. There will be more on that in another entry later on this week though. For now, we see now that the Haymarket Affair is yet another linchpin in the history of organized labor coming to us from Chicago.
A Recreation Area for a Labor Icon: Labor Day Digest 3/6
As Labor Day winds on, here is a tale about an integral person in the Labor Movement, who has also been honored with his own park in Chicago.
How could a child born in 1850 England go on to influence the entire history and legacy of labor unions to this very day? Pretty easily actually, just ask Samuel Gompers. For the first 10 years of his life, he lived in London, and attended the Jewish Free School. All of that changed in April of 1860, when he was pulled out of school and apprenticed off as a cigarmaker in order to help his family out with their crushing levels of debt. Alas, even this did not help, and the family immigrated to the United States in 1863.
Once in the states, Gompers promptly started working once again as a cigarmaker in Manhattan, becoming active in the Local 15 Union the very next year. In 1873, he jumped to another company, one that was more in line with his advanced abilities. While there, he started to become influenced by the more socialist ideas that were propagated in the talk in that shop. 2 years after that, he became president of the Local 144 Union. In 1881, he was instrumental in founding the organization that would become the American Federation of Labor(which merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955 to become the AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in the United States). In 1894, he was instrumental in promoting the new Labor Day holiday that had been recognized by Congress to placate the Pullman strikers.
A number of years later, he popped back up when the United States got involved in World War I, urging all unions to hold off on striking and other labor actions during wartime so as to give America and its companies every advantage possible. Gompers died in 1924, but many of his methods of organizing labor are used to this day even. Additionally, there is both a park and a statue in downtown Chicago memorializing his roles in the labor history of this city and all others as well.
How could a child born in 1850 England go on to influence the entire history and legacy of labor unions to this very day? Pretty easily actually, just ask Samuel Gompers. For the first 10 years of his life, he lived in London, and attended the Jewish Free School. All of that changed in April of 1860, when he was pulled out of school and apprenticed off as a cigarmaker in order to help his family out with their crushing levels of debt. Alas, even this did not help, and the family immigrated to the United States in 1863.
Once in the states, Gompers promptly started working once again as a cigarmaker in Manhattan, becoming active in the Local 15 Union the very next year. In 1873, he jumped to another company, one that was more in line with his advanced abilities. While there, he started to become influenced by the more socialist ideas that were propagated in the talk in that shop. 2 years after that, he became president of the Local 144 Union. In 1881, he was instrumental in founding the organization that would become the American Federation of Labor(which merged with the Congress of Industrial Organizations in 1955 to become the AFL-CIO, the largest labor federation in the United States). In 1894, he was instrumental in promoting the new Labor Day holiday that had been recognized by Congress to placate the Pullman strikers.
A number of years later, he popped back up when the United States got involved in World War I, urging all unions to hold off on striking and other labor actions during wartime so as to give America and its companies every advantage possible. Gompers died in 1924, but many of his methods of organizing labor are used to this day even. Additionally, there is both a park and a statue in downtown Chicago memorializing his roles in the labor history of this city and all others as well.
The Train Strike: Labor Day Digest 2/6
And now for the 2nd in our Labor Day series
In 1893, several things happened. The Vienna beef hot dog was first shown to the world, the 1893 World's Fair rolled into town, Carter Harrison was assassinated, Harry Grossman was 4 years away from being born, and an economic Panic hit the country that caused the fortunes of the Pullman Palace Car Company to flounder(and for demand to take a hit as well). This slackening of demand induced George Pullman to cut back on what he was paying his workers. Okay, that seems fair enough, if profits are down, then there simply isn't as much work to give out, and dem's the breaks.
Except I'm leaving one tiny thing out. Those of you who read my entry about George Pullman know that most of the workers he had in his employ lived in an absolutely massive company town right by the factory. All of the prices and rents in this community were also set by Pullman. Well, when Pullman started losing cash, he cut the wages of all the employees. Not just that, but remember that factory town I told you about? Well, even with the wages being cut, Pullman still charged his workers the same amount of money in rent each and every month. Eventually, this got the workers to the point where they had had enough, and they started to organize.
At this point, the American Railway Union comes into the picture. This outfit had been formed in the Summer of 1893 by Eugene Debs, and was already earning a name for itself(having successfully negotiated a deal with the Great Northern Railway in August of that year.) The ARU aided the situation by calling for a general boycott of all Pullman cars. As a result 125,000 workers all across the country refused to handle trains carrying Pullman cars. To combat this, the General Manager's Association(a national federation of 24 Railroad owners) immediately brought in strikebreakers to keep the trains running. In time, the Federal Government got involved, as President Grover Cleveland considered it his responsibility to keep the mail running. To further that objective, federal troops were sent in to restore order and get the trains back up and running.
Eventually, the strike was broken, Eugene Debs was thrown in prison for six months, and everything returned to normal. However, the strike did leave one important legacy that persists to this day. In an effort to pacify organized labor in the aftermath of the strike, Congress passed a bill that recognized Labor Day as a national holiday.
In 1893, several things happened. The Vienna beef hot dog was first shown to the world, the 1893 World's Fair rolled into town, Carter Harrison was assassinated, Harry Grossman was 4 years away from being born, and an economic Panic hit the country that caused the fortunes of the Pullman Palace Car Company to flounder(and for demand to take a hit as well). This slackening of demand induced George Pullman to cut back on what he was paying his workers. Okay, that seems fair enough, if profits are down, then there simply isn't as much work to give out, and dem's the breaks.
Except I'm leaving one tiny thing out. Those of you who read my entry about George Pullman know that most of the workers he had in his employ lived in an absolutely massive company town right by the factory. All of the prices and rents in this community were also set by Pullman. Well, when Pullman started losing cash, he cut the wages of all the employees. Not just that, but remember that factory town I told you about? Well, even with the wages being cut, Pullman still charged his workers the same amount of money in rent each and every month. Eventually, this got the workers to the point where they had had enough, and they started to organize.
At this point, the American Railway Union comes into the picture. This outfit had been formed in the Summer of 1893 by Eugene Debs, and was already earning a name for itself(having successfully negotiated a deal with the Great Northern Railway in August of that year.) The ARU aided the situation by calling for a general boycott of all Pullman cars. As a result 125,000 workers all across the country refused to handle trains carrying Pullman cars. To combat this, the General Manager's Association(a national federation of 24 Railroad owners) immediately brought in strikebreakers to keep the trains running. In time, the Federal Government got involved, as President Grover Cleveland considered it his responsibility to keep the mail running. To further that objective, federal troops were sent in to restore order and get the trains back up and running.
Eventually, the strike was broken, Eugene Debs was thrown in prison for six months, and everything returned to normal. However, the strike did leave one important legacy that persists to this day. In an effort to pacify organized labor in the aftermath of the strike, Congress passed a bill that recognized Labor Day as a national holiday.
Welcome To The Jungle: Labor Day Digest 1/6
For those of you who were reading my blog last year, this might look familiar. For those of you who weren't, here's what's up. Last year I celebrated the entire first week of September as Labor Week, commemorating the many anchors that Chicago has given the Labor Movement. For this year's Labor Day, I figured I'd condense all those entries into a single day of reposting. For the next 12 hours, keep an eye to this blog as I will be putting up a new post about Chicago's Labor history. And we're gonna get things rolling with Mr. Upton Sinclair's take on the meatpacking industry.
Happy Monday everybody, and Welcome to Labor Week! For those of you who read about George Pullman, you got a small teaser for this. For all of you, here's more about what's going on this week. Today most of the country has the day off. But why is that? That is to acknowledge the many contributions to our current workplace life that have been won by Unions, including an 8-hour workday, Child Labor Laws, safety standards, health benefits, and overtime pay, just to name a few. So, between now and Friday I will be putting up an article every day talking about some facet of the history of Organized Labor and how it relates to Chicago. And trust me, I've got some heavy topics on deck for this week. From the roots of the May Day rallies that happen every year throughout the country, to the labor action that inspired the very creation of the Labor Day holiday, this week has it all. But to start off with, I'd like to show you around...The Jungle...
By 1906, the meatpacking industry had been a Chicago institution for well over half a century. However, it was about to get a rude awakening. For that was the year that Upton Sinclair threw the book(no pun intended) at the industry. In 1904, Upton Sinclair was a young writer working for a Socialist newspaper in Chicago. As part of an expose they were planning, Sinclair was sent to work undercover in the infamous Union Stockyards for seven weeks, where he eventually gathered material for the necessary articles. About a year later, Sinclair sought to fictionalize his experiences and publish them in book form. After much consternation(his novel was rejected five times before it was finally accepted) he finally found a publisher for his book. Doubleday released The Jungle on February 26, 1906.
Once published, the book left the American people shocked and disgusted, just not in the way that Sinclair had hoped. You see, Sinclair had intended the book to be a clarion call alerting the public about the despicable condition of the working class in Gilded Age America. Such passages as the protagonist's wife getting raped by her boss, the terrible work conditions, and even some workers falling into mixing vats and being turned into lard were meant to tug at the heartstrings of America. And stories like the lard one did force America to think some things over, things like the safety of their food. The Jungle led to expanded oversight of meatpacking, the increased scrutiny of the industry by President Teddy Roosevelt, and even the establishment of the FDA. Even with all of this impact, Sinclair lamented that he wanted to "aim at the public's heart, but instead [he] hit it in the stomach" The Jungle remains in print to this day, more than 107 years after its initial release, and it still serves as a testament to the state of both worker's rights and the meatpacking industry at the turn of the century.
Happy Monday everybody, and Welcome to Labor Week! For those of you who read about George Pullman, you got a small teaser for this. For all of you, here's more about what's going on this week. Today most of the country has the day off. But why is that? That is to acknowledge the many contributions to our current workplace life that have been won by Unions, including an 8-hour workday, Child Labor Laws, safety standards, health benefits, and overtime pay, just to name a few. So, between now and Friday I will be putting up an article every day talking about some facet of the history of Organized Labor and how it relates to Chicago. And trust me, I've got some heavy topics on deck for this week. From the roots of the May Day rallies that happen every year throughout the country, to the labor action that inspired the very creation of the Labor Day holiday, this week has it all. But to start off with, I'd like to show you around...The Jungle...
By 1906, the meatpacking industry had been a Chicago institution for well over half a century. However, it was about to get a rude awakening. For that was the year that Upton Sinclair threw the book(no pun intended) at the industry. In 1904, Upton Sinclair was a young writer working for a Socialist newspaper in Chicago. As part of an expose they were planning, Sinclair was sent to work undercover in the infamous Union Stockyards for seven weeks, where he eventually gathered material for the necessary articles. About a year later, Sinclair sought to fictionalize his experiences and publish them in book form. After much consternation(his novel was rejected five times before it was finally accepted) he finally found a publisher for his book. Doubleday released The Jungle on February 26, 1906.
Once published, the book left the American people shocked and disgusted, just not in the way that Sinclair had hoped. You see, Sinclair had intended the book to be a clarion call alerting the public about the despicable condition of the working class in Gilded Age America. Such passages as the protagonist's wife getting raped by her boss, the terrible work conditions, and even some workers falling into mixing vats and being turned into lard were meant to tug at the heartstrings of America. And stories like the lard one did force America to think some things over, things like the safety of their food. The Jungle led to expanded oversight of meatpacking, the increased scrutiny of the industry by President Teddy Roosevelt, and even the establishment of the FDA. Even with all of this impact, Sinclair lamented that he wanted to "aim at the public's heart, but instead [he] hit it in the stomach" The Jungle remains in print to this day, more than 107 years after its initial release, and it still serves as a testament to the state of both worker's rights and the meatpacking industry at the turn of the century.
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