Did you know the first blood bank in the United States was in Chicago? In March 1937, Dr. Bernard Fantus opened a blood preservation laboratory at Cook County Hospital, and in 1939, Baxter Laboratories in the north suburbs invented the “Transfuso-Vac,” a device that allowed blood to be stored for up to 21 days. During More
Every Sunday, we’re featuring a submission to our community-based initiative, In This Together, which collects digital records that capture personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, we’re sharing a piece of pandemic art, Liberty Leading through the Pandemic War, created by Jessica Ramirez as part of her coursework at the University of Illinois at More
On this date in 1951, the White Sox beat the St. Louis Browns 8–1 to win their 14th consecutive game—the second longest win streak in franchise history. In 1951, the Sox added Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso to their roster in a three-team trade. He was the first Black Cuban player in the major leagues and the More
Emerald is the birthstone for May, and it’s fitting for us in Chicago given that’s when the deep greens of spring really begin to emerge. This emerald, pearl, and gold wedding jewelry set in American Medina: Stories of Muslim Chicago helps tell the story of three generations of Muslim women and their journey to Chicago. More
This National Hamburger Day, we’ve got our eyes on two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun. In 1954, milkshake machine salesman and Oak Park native Ray Kroc encountered a hamburger stand owned by two brothers, Richard and Maurice McDonald. After convincing them to make him their exclusive franchising More