Today in Chicago History: ‘A slow-motion horror’ in the Loop kills 11 in CTA derailment during rush hour

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Feb. 4, 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: 59 degrees (1890)
  • Low temperature: Minus 14 degrees (1996)
  • Precipitation: 1.26 inches (1924)
  • Snowfall: 4.3 inches (1932)
Authorities said a crash occurred about 5:25 p.m. on Feb. 4, 1977, when an eight-car westbound Lake-Dan Ryan CTA train (now parts of the Green and Red lines) rounded the curve at Lake Street and Wabash Avenue and struck the rear of a Ravenswood train (Brown line). More than 160 people were injured and 11 were killed. (Chicago Tribune)

1977: A bystander called it “a slow-motion horror.” The Tribune called it the worst crash in Chicago Transit Authority history. Eleven people were killed and scores injured when a CTA elevated train struck the rear of a standing train at Lake Street and Wabash Avenue, sending multiple cars plunging to the street during the evening rush hour.

Devin Hester is alone on the during the Colts confetti drop. Super Bowl XLI- Chicago Bears Indianapolis Colts at Dolphin Stadium in Miami, Florida on Sun., February 4, 2007. (Chicago Tribune Photo by Scott Strazzante) ..OUTSIDE TRIBUNE CO.- NO MAGS, NO SALES, NO INTERNET, NO TV, CHICAGO OUT.. 00274367C SuperBowl (football pro)
Devin Hester kneels alone on the field at Dolphin Stadium in Miami after the Indianapolis Colts beat the Chicago Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4, 2007. (Scott Strazzante/Chicago Tribune)

2007: Super Bowl XLI began encouragingly for the Chicago Bears as Devin Hester returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown on a rainy evening in Miami. Making their first Super Bowl appearance in 21 years, the Bears trailed 22-17 going into the fourth quarter before the Colts’ Kelvin Hayden intercepted a Rex Grossman pass and returned it 56 yards for the clinching touchdown.

Bears greats Devin Hester and Steve McMichael join exclusive company in a Chicago-tinged Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Grossman completed 20 of 28 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown but threw two interceptions as Peyton Manning claimed his only Super Bowl championship. Final score: Colts 29, Bears 17.

2015: After the Illinois Supreme Court approved a long-awaited pilot program allowing cameras in courtrooms in December 2014, the program began at the Leighton Criminal Court Building. The first case to be photographed/televised was the sentencing of two men in the killing of Chicago police Officer Thomas Wortham IV.

The sentencing of co-defendants Paris McGee and Toyious Taylor in the death of Chicago police Officer Thomas Wortham IV on Feb. 4, 2015, was the first test of cameras in Cook County criminal courtrooms. No restrictions had been placed on what a video cameraman and two still photographers, including one from the Tribune, stationed in the jury box could show. (Chicago Tribune)
The sentencing of co-defendants Paris McGee and Toyious Taylor in the death of Chicago police Officer Thomas Wortham IV on Feb. 4, 2015, was the first test of cameras in Cook County criminal courtrooms. No restrictions had been placed on what a video cameraman and two still photographers, including one from the Tribune, stationed in the jury box could show. (Chicago Tribune)

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