Today in Chicago History: ‘I decided to do my sitting over here,’ Mike Royko writes in his first Tribune column

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 11, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 61 degrees (1880)
  • Low temperature: Minus 11 degrees (1977)
  • Precipitation: 0.64 inches (1918)
  • Snowfall: 5.9 inches (2011)
Chicago Bears owner George Halas and George Allen, the Bears defensive coordinator and personnel director, selected Mike Ditka with the fifth pick in the 1961 draft. Even though Ditka was mostly a blocker at Pittsburgh, Halas and offensive coordinator Luke Johnsos had an audacious plan: Ditka would become the first tight end to affect the receiving and rushing games equally. (Chicago Tribune)

1961: University of Pittsburgh All-American Mike Ditka signed a contract to play for George Halas and the Chicago Bears.

The Bears got Ditka in the first round of the NFL draft after winning a coin toss with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who tied them in the league standings. (The Bears and Steelers also tied in 1970 and had to settle for another coin toss. The Bears lost that one, which meant the Steelers chose quarterback Terry Bradshaw.)

Newly signed Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko holds a news conference at Tribune Tower on Jan. 10, 1984. Royko said he signed a contract with the Tribune because, "Mr. Murdoch doesn't own this paper." (James Mayo/Chicago Tribune)
Newly signed Chicago Tribune columnist Mike Royko holds a news conference at Tribune Tower on Jan. 10, 1984. Royko said he signed a contract with the Tribune because “Mr. Murdoch doesn’t own this paper.” (James Mayo/Chicago Tribune)

1984: Mike Royko brought his column to the Tribune. Read it here.

Take a look back at Mike Royko’s Chicago Tribune columns on the 25th anniversary of his death

2003: Two days before leaving office, Illinois Gov. George Ryan commuted the sentences of 164 Death Row inmates to life in prison without parole, citing a system “haunted by the demon of error.” Ryan pardoned four Death Row inmates, resulting in the release of three. Another three Death Row inmates had their sentences shortened to 40-year terms. The actions took 167 people off Death Row.

Outgoing Illinois Gov. George Ryan on Jan. 11, 2003, commuted the sentence of every inmate on the state's Death Row. (Chicago Tribune)
Outgoing Illinois Gov. George Ryan on Jan. 11, 2003, commuted the sentence of every inmate on the state’s Death Row. (Chicago Tribune)

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