Blog Post

Happy Birthday Chicago

Colin Shivley • Mar 05, 2020

183 years-old and still amazing!

On March 4, 1837 Chicago was officially incorporated as a City in the state of Illinois which means next month; our great city will celebrate its 183rd birthday; and Chicago is looking great for her age. From the infamous Chicago Fire to the winning the World Series; this city has a plethora of historical moments to celebrate. Of course, one of the best ways to commemorate all of it is a trip down memory lane to highlight some the City’s vast historical events while attending a party at the Chicago History Museum this March 4, 2020 starting at 4pm.

Free to the Chicago public with a Valid ID: visitors will be immersed in Chicago’s past through various exhibits such as the Great Chicago Fire and the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Party goers will have the chance to see Chicago’s history with the Chicago 00 Project. An immersive 360-degree experience of Chicago’s past that allows you to even ascend the world’s first Ferris wheel; which of course was born right here in our City.

While we wait for the big day; check out these two inventions from Chicago’s rich history that helped shape the modern cities we see today.

The Skyscraper:

The Chicago skyline is one of the most recognizable and iconic views in the world with its glimmering steel towers and expansive lakefront. In fact; every modern city skyline owes it all to The Windy City for the technology and fundamentals to building a skyscraper. In 1885; the Home Insurance Building became the world’s first steel-frame skyscraper that reached 10 stories in the air (a breathtaking height for the time period). Shortly after; New York began their skyline development which lead to both cities possessing the largest skylines in the world for several years after. Since then; Chicago has built some of the world’s tallest buildings such as the now Willis Tower which stands as the 8th tallest structure in the world including the pinnacles as well as the World’s tallest building designed by women: The Aqua. The city is now home to more than 1,300 skyscrapers.

The Chicago Wheel
On June 21st 1893; the world was introduced to the Chicago Wheel; more commonly known as the modern Ferris Wheel. Towering at 264 feet; it was the largest attraction at the World’s Columbian Exposition right here in Chicago. After its year-long operation came to a close at the fairgrounds, it was moved to Lincoln Park where it remained until dismantled and rebuilt for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. While its life was short-lived and ended during a demolition in 1906, this Ferris Wheel gave the blueprints for the most common amusement ride found and enjoyed in the United States.
It would be impossible for one little article to list the plethora of events and inventions that Chicago has under its belt. We gave the world Deep-dish pizza, broke a 108-year old curse, the electric dishwasher and like a Phoenix rose from the ashes of the Great Chicago Fire. Take a chance to explore all of the city’s history at the Chicago History Museum or peruse this detailed Chicago Public Library historical timeline of Chicago. From all of us to you Chicago: Happy Birthday!

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