Historical Events in Chicago on October 18

First Long-Distance Telephone Call

On October 18, 1892, the first long-distance telephone call between Chicago and New York occurred. Mayor Hempstead Washburne of Chicago successfully heard New York Mayor Hugh J. Grant, but Grant could not hear Washburne. Despite this, a cornet solo was clearly audible. The Chicago Tribune reported that the use of forty receivers in the circuit likely caused the diminished sound quality.

Weather Records

According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, past weather on October 18 shows:

• Highest temperature: 87 degrees in 1950
• Lowest temperature: 20 degrees in 1948
• Precipitation: 2.09 inches in 1985
• Snowfall: 0.7 inches in 1989

Duchess the Escaped Elephant

Around 1900, Duchess, the first elephant of Lincoln Park Zoo, escaped. The 18-year-old elephant broke free from her handler and caused damage to a saloon door and a window on North Avenue. She also walked through a vacant lot’s fence before being captured and returned by noon.

Memorial Stadium’s Historic Game

On October 18, 1924, Memorial Stadium in Champaign hosted a legendary football game. Harold “Red” Grange, a three-time All-American, scored a memorable 95-yard touchdown against Michigan, leading Illinois to a 39-14 victory in the stadium’s dedication game.

Arrival of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

The German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe came to Chicago in 1938. He was appointed to head the architecture department at the Armour Institute of Technology, now known as Illinois Institute of Technology, located on Chicago’s South Side.

1994 Eric Morse Case

In 1995, Jesse Rankins, 11, and Tykeece Johnson, 12, were found guilty of killing 5-year-old Eric Morse. They dropped him from the 14th floor of the Ida B. Wells public housing complex for refusing to steal candy. In response to this case, Illinois enacted a law lowering the minimum age for prison sentencing from 13 to 10.