Today in Chicago History: CPS students walk out

News Room

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 14, 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: 60 degrees (1928)
  • Low temperature: Minus 14 degrees (1979)
  • Precipitation: 1.1 inches (1871)
  • Snowfall: 6.3 inches (1929)
Bill Hewitt, who played for the Chicago Bears from 1932 to 1936, is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame because many consider him the best two-way player of his era, 1932 to 1943. But he is best remembered for his stubborn refusal to wear a helmet until the league made a rules change that forced him to wear one. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1947: Former Chicago Bears end Bill Hewitt — one of the last NFL players to not wear a helmet — died at 37 after his car skidded off a wet road and hit a culvert in Pennsylvania.

In 1949, Halas decided to retire the uniform numbers of the most important players in team history. He chose three: Red Grange’s 77, Bronko Nagurski’s 3 and Hewitt’s 56.

From Halas to Hester: The 32 Chicago Bears inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Hewitt was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 — with President Richard Nixon as the guest speaker.

2022: Chicago Public Schools students staged a walkout over the return to in-person learning amid lackluster COVID precautions.

Chicago Public Schools students participated in a walkout on Jan. 14, 2022, at their respective schools then later in the day outside CPS headquarters over what they felt was a lack of classroom safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Chicago Tribune)
Chicago Public Schools students participated in a walkout on Jan. 14, 2022, at their respective schools, then later in the day outside CPS headquarters, over what they felt was a lack of classroom safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Chicago Tribune)

Want more vintage Chicago?

Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago’s past.

Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com

Related posts