1800s
See 20 pictures of the devastation caused by the deadly St Louis tornado in 1896
See damage caused by the St Louis tornado in May 1896 – considered one of the deadliest on record with at least 255 lives lost – and get the whole story.
illinois
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1940s
When you could ride the rails in style: Train cars from the 1940s
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!
1940s
Retro rooms: See these 12 themed vintage basement remodels, from the wacky to the wonderful (1948)
Check out these 12 retro basement remodels, including a ranch room with a Western atmosphere, created with cowhide furniture, a totem pole, and a colorful pattern for the floor copied from a Navajo blanket.
1960s
Kerner Commission: Racism confronted after months of soul-searching (1968)
Racism is very difficult for any of us to admit, even to ourselves. But gradually and inevitably we had to conclude that the basic cause of America’s racial disorders is white racism.
1960s
Kerner Commission: Prejudice – A name for racism (1968)
Prejudice – A name for racism Kerner Commission Report backstory, part 3: Prejudice. It’s in all our hearts. What can we do about it? By Otto Kerner,
1800s
Looking back at the history of Chicago (1977)
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.
Culture & lifestyle
Racism in America: The Kerner Report (1968)
KERNER RACISM REPORT COVERAGE Introduction: Insight into the Kerner Report from Kerner himself Part 1: Racism confronted after months of soul-searching Part 2: Use of ‘overforce’
1930s
Cross the country with these vintage US road maps
Take a look at a more than 20 vintage road maps below, apparently preserved for years in car gloveboxes across the nation!
1800s
Jefferson’s secret message to congress about Lewis & Clark (1803)
Transcript of Jefferson’s Secret Message to Congress Regarding the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1803) Confidential Gentlemen of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:
1800s
Ambrotype portrait of Abraham Lincoln (1860)
A portrait of Abraham Lincoln From a carbon enlargement, made by Sherman and McHugh of New York City, of an ambrotype owned by Mr
1960s
Kerner Commission: Use of ‘overforce’ criticized (1968)
Use of ‘overforce’ criticized Kerner Commission Report backstory, part 2: Kerner urges responsibility in meeting violence By Otto Kerner, Chairman, National Advisory Commission on Civil
1960s
Kerner Report: President’s riot commission learned from the people (1968)
Getting the facts Kerner Commission Report backstory, part 4: President’s riot commission learned from the people By Otto Kerner, Chairman, National Advisory Commission an Civil Disorders
1960s
Kerner Commission: Racism has no simple cure (1968)
Of course, we can and must take many steps on a high-priority basis to stop America’s ominous drift toward two societies, separate and unequal.
1910s
A view on birth control from 1915
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
1800s
Illinois: Farm land from $8 to $12 an acre (1863)
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.
1800s
The Great Chicago Fire, as the story unfolded (1871)
Chicago in Ashes THE GREAT CALAMITY OF THE AGE. Hundreds of Millions of Dollars’ Worth of Property destroyed The South, the North and a Portion
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