On May 19, 2018, a significant event took place in Windsor, England. Meghan Markle, a graduate of Northwestern University, married Prince Harry at St. George’s Chapel located in Windsor Castle. This event was notable not only for the royal family but also for Northwestern University owing to the connection through Markle.
Weather Records for Chicago on May 19
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, historical weather records for this date reveal the following:
- High temperature: 94 degrees in 1977
- Low temperature: 36 degrees in 1993
- Precipitation: 1.53 inches in 1949
- Snowfall: None
A Historical Glimpse into May 19 Events
On May 19, 1934, a catastrophic fire broke out in Chicago. It ravaged “Big Jim” O’Leary’s luxurious gambling establishment at 4183 S. Halsted St. The blaze, considered the second-biggest in Chicago history, destroyed nearly 90% of the Union Stock Yards. The incident resulted in injuries to 50 firefighters and numerous cattle fatalities.
The Midwest Auto Racing Association marked May 19, 1935, by hosting its inaugural car race at Soldier Field. This venue became a significant site for auto racing enthusiasts and later hosted Soldier Field’s first NASCAR event in 1956.
Alderman Fred Hubbard’s Notoriety
The year 1971 witnessed the disappearance of Alderman Fred Hubbard with $100,000 from the Chicago Plan, a federal jobs program he led. Captured by the FBI in August 1972 during a poker game in Los Angeles, Hubbard faced charges upon his return to Chicago. He admitted to 16 counts of embezzlement and received a two-year prison sentence in January 1973. Despite serving most of his sentence, Hubbard’s subsequent attempts to integrate back into society were challenging. In 1986, he was exposed for using a false identity to gain employment within Chicago Public Schools, a discovery which further complicated his life.
Soldier Field and the Dome Proposal
In 1982, the Chicago Park District entertained the notion of constructing a $20 million dome for Soldier Field. Park Board President Raymond Simon highlighted the financial benefits if Soldier Field were operational 150 days per year. However, the Tribune Editorial Board supported the idea of a lakefront sports arena but opposed taxpayer funding, citing existing financial burdens.
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