Back in 1871, The Great Chicago Fire killed an estimated 200 to 300 people, destroyed more than three square miles of the city, and left 100,000 people homeless.
In the ’30s, Chicago gang leader Al Capone was imprisoned for income tax evasion, and served most of his time on Alcatraz, where he faced constant death threats.
The King Tut roadshow – aka the Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibit – was eternity wrapped in Plexiglas: infinity with explanatory tape decks; a golden age of the ages, with a gift shop.
Remember vintage TV dinners — shiny foil trays filled with delicious-looking dinner delights, waiting in the freezer for a special night? Plus find out the history of TV dinners!
Technically superior, if overly sentimental, ‘Somewhere in Time’ stars Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, and takes viewers back in time to 1912.
As these pictures of old post office buildings show, a lot of architecture from around 1900 was beautiful, ornate and built on a grand scale. Take a look!
Penny-farthings, or high-wheel bicycles, were all the rage in the Victorian age. In fact, many preferred them over conventional bikes. Here’s why.
in 1929, gangsters linked to mobster Al Capone lured eight men into a garage in Chicago, lined them up facing the wall, then opened fire.
Good Times aired from February 1974 through August 1979. Developed by Norman Lear, it was a spin-off of Maude, which was an All in the Family offshoot.
A brief introduction to serial killer H H Holmes: The torture doctor Ah, the Good Old Days. Bicycles built for two. World’s Fairs, “Daisy Bell”
During World War II, the railroad companies had to devote their resources to the war effort by transporting troops around the country. Here’s a look back at some of what the railroads were offering to entice passengers back in the late ’40s!
Thomas Edison says people work too hard, but that pleasure is as necessary as food. ‘This is an electric age. The pressure was never heavier, nor the grind harder.’
What is the average lifespan for men and women in America? Among the curious things shown by the census of 1880 is the new data relative to the US life expectancy.
See inside vintage train cars on the old Overland Limited Train, where every luxury possible in a hotel was found – including a barber shop, valet service, massage, maid, library, buffet, clubroom and a cafe dining car.
There’s a lot of magic and humor practiced in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Written and directed by John Hughes, this energetic and offbeat comedy captures the best feelings about being young.
Surprise baby is puzzling doctors – Mother had no idea baby was coming until doctor brought her into the world
It is hard to believe that only two centuries ago, Chicago was a lonely marshland of trees and tall grass, a place with an abundance of wild onions, from which the Iroquois gave it its name, Chicagou.
Police officers smiled broadly at reports from Florida that ‘Scarface’ Al Capone was assuming the attitude of the refined and genial American sportsman.
Remains of President Lincoln in Chicago Yesterday was a marked day in the history of Chicago — a day long to be remembered by the
Jazz has remarkable history as a fad (from 1919) Starting twenty years ago in New Orleans, it has swept from coast to coast and is
Chicago Team Without Peer in the World Recent World’s Series Showed Cubs Utterly Outclassed American League Rivals. By James Crusinberry No one now doubts the
Beauties of seven towns Their individual charms are somewhat hard to define Characteristics of the girls in several great municipalities Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans,
Letter to the Editor: Child birth control Letter from Allen Steven, published on June 02, 1915 in The Day Book (Chicago, Illinois) We are long since rid of
ILLINOIS. Is about equal in extent to England. with a population of 1,722. No State in the Valley of the Mississippi offers so great an inducement to the settler as the State of Illinois.
Called “the most extraordinary thing that ever happened in American sports,” the streak began on May 15, 1941 when DiMaggio went 1-4 against Chicago White Sox hurler Eddie Smith.
Influential singer/songwriter/musician/producer Curtis Mayfield died December 26, 1999 at age 57. He passed away at the North Fulton Regional Hospital in Roswell, Georgia, from complications arising from diabetes.
Now you and your family can enjoy the finest in rail travel — all its comforts and conveniences… Now there’s no need to drive your car for economy’s sake. No need to fight traffic, to worry about where to stay overnight.
Spring weather can be mighty uncertain. But there’s nothing uncertain about Pennsylvania Railroad’s great East-West Fleet! These fine modern trains always go … always get
You can fly Boeing jetliners to 135 cities in 70 countries, over the routes of these famous airlines. All continents, all sections of the globe are included.
Can the commuter survive? Millions of Americans travel inadequate railroads and overburdened highways to get to work each day. Here are some measures that may
Rival of National League American Association of Baseball Clubs comes into existence Philadelphia, Jan 30 – The American Association of Baseball Clubs was organized here
“The Breakfast Club” by Anna Madrzyk – Daily Herald (Chicago, Illinois) February 15, 1985 Although it’s billed as a comedy, some of the best moments
Comiskey’s great ball park open Chicago, July 1 [1910] — The finest ball park in the world. That is the verdict expected by Charles Comiskey
Colorforms, the vintage vinyl stick-on playsets that let kids stage scenes, create comics & dress dolls 
How to be a perfect ’50s housewife: In the kitchen 
What is a Charlotte russe? 8 delicious classic Charlotte dessert recipes 
The real death of a cheerleader story (1985) 
Native American sign language: Illustrated guides to 400 gestures Want to remember to remember? Our weekly newsletter shows you the latest vintage, old-fashioned & historic stuff that we have published or refreshed during the past seven days. Sign up here.
ClickAmericana.com is made with ★ and ♥ by Synchronista LLC | © 2011-2020
Note: ClickAmericana.com features authentic historical information, and is not intended to represent current best practices on any topic. Material on this site is provided for education, criticism, commentary, cultural reporting, entertainment, historical reference, and news reporting/analysis.
Don’t miss out on the latest and greatest vintage stuff!
Sign up for our free weekly newsletter here.
