Today in Chicago History: Century of Progress — the second World’s Fair hosted by the city — opens

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 27, 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: 97 degrees (2018)
  • Low temperature: 33 degrees (1992)
  • Precipitation: 1.92 inches (2019)
  • Snowfall: Trace (2001)
The interior of Electrical Hall shows the Westinghouse Electric exhibit at the Century of Progress Exposition in 1933. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1933: Century of Progress — the city’s second world’s fair — opened in Chicago.

With a book of plays in front of him, George Halas, head coach of the Chicago Bears for 39 years, tells newsmen of his retirement on May 27, 1968. Halas retired before, in 1956, then returned to the helm. (Charles Knoblock/AP)
With a book of plays in front of him, George Halas, head coach of the Chicago Bears for 39 years, tells reporters of his retirement on May 27, 1968. Halas had retired before, in 1956, then returned to the helm. (Charles Knoblock/AP)

1968: Chicago Bears owner George Halas, 73, announced his retirement as the team’s head coach. Halas finished with a regular-season record of 318-148-31 in 40 seasons.

Ben Johnson is the 19th Chicago Bears head coach. Here’s a look at how past coaches fared — and why they left.

Halas named Jim Dooley, a longtime assistant and former player, to replace him. Halas’ 1968 send-off of “Good luck, kid” to his successor immediately turned to bad luck and haunted Dooley through season records of 7-7, 1-13, 6-8 and 6-8.

Enthusiastic and innovative, a true “football man,” Dooley presided over four of the darkest and worst years in Bears history.

Terminal 5 at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport opened in 1993 with 156 ticket counter positions, VIP lounges, 21 aircraft gates, a smorgasbord of restaurants and the capability to handle 4,000 passengers per hour through customs. (Chicago Tribune)
Terminal 5 at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport opened in 1993 with 156 ticket counter positions, VIP lounges, 21 aircraft gates, a smorgasbord of restaurants and the capability to handle 4,000 passengers per hour through customs. (Chicago Tribune)

1993: The $618 million International Terminal was unveiled at O’Hare International Airport. The 1.2 million-square-foot, glass-and-steel building with dramatic, curving roof and skylights was completed following more than two years of construction. This facility, officially named Terminal 5, included 21 gates, 156 ticket counters and was estimated to handle 4 million passengers annually. It was the last project of a $2 billion O’Hare revitalization and expansion program begun a decade earlier.

The terminal was expanded in 2023.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko (14) hits a three-run home run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on May 27, 2012. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)
Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko (14) hits a three-run home run in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on May 27, 2012. (José M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

2012: Paul Konerko hit a tie-breaking three-run home run — his 400th with the Chicago White Sox — in a 12-6 win over the Cleveland Indians. The offensive outburst gave the Sox nine or more runs in four consecutive games. The White Sox last accomplished that feat June 27-30, 1938.

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