Historical Events in Chicago on August 16

Elvis Presley Dies in 1977

On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley, the legendary singer and actor, passed away at the age of 42. He was discovered unconscious in his bathroom at Graceland, Tennessee. The announcement of his death came at 3:30 p.m. Chicago time.

Record-Breaking Weather

The National Weather Service recorded a high temperature of 98 degrees on this day in 1988 in Chicago. The low was 48 degrees in 2004. In 1968, precipitation reached 3.79 inches, with no snowfall recorded.

Babe Ruth’s Historic Home Run in 1927

In 1927, New York Yankees star Babe Ruth became the first baseball player to hit a home run over the right field’s new double deck roof at Comiskey Park. This hit marked his 37th home run of the season, as the Yankees triumphed over the Chicago White Sox with an 8-1 victory.

Bushman the Gorilla’s Arrival in 1930

In 1930, a two-year-old gorilla named Bushman was brought to Lincoln Park Zoo from Cameroon. Captured after the hunter J.L. Buck killed his mother, Bushman was bought for $3,500, equating to nearly $71,000 today. The gorilla quickly became a star, with an estimated 100 million visitors viewing him over his lifetime.

United Airlines Flight 389 Crash in 1965

United Airlines Flight 389 tragically crashed into Lake Michigan on August 16, 1965. The aircraft was near its O’Hare International Airport destination when the incident occurred, resulting in the death of all 30 passengers aboard.

Release of “Uncle Buck” in 1989

1989 saw the release of “Uncle Buck,” starring John Candy. Filmed in Chicago and its suburbs, the movie received a favorable review from the Chicago Tribune, earning three out of four stars.

Binti-Jua the Gorilla’s Heroic Act in 1996

On August 16, 1996, at Brookfield Zoo’s Tropic World, a western lowland gorilla named Binti-Jua cradled a three-year-old boy who had fallen into her enclosure. With her baby on her back, she protected the boy from other gorillas. This act of compassion earned her the title of Newsweek’s Hero of the Year.