Today in Chicago History: Relatives, protesters and lawyers gather at O’Hare over Trump’s immigration order

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 28, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Front page flashback: Jan. 29, 1986

Shuttle Challenger exploded after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986, at Cape Canaveral, killing all seven crew members. Tribune reporter Michael Hirsley called it the “worst disaster in space flight since America embarked upon its voyages above the Earth.” (Chicago Tribune)

1986: Space shuttle Challenger exploded after launch, killing seven crew members, including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 60 degrees (1914)
Low temperature: Minus 13 degrees (1977)
Precipitation: 0.71 inches (1909)
Snowfall: 5 inches (2019)

The entrance gate to Northwestern University at the corner of Sheridan Road and Chicago Avenue on April 29, 2016. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune) — The entrance gate to Northwestern University at Sheridan Road and Chicago Avenue on April 29, 2016. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune)

1851: The charter for Northwestern University was passed by the Illinois General Assembly. The school opened four years later in Evanston.

The start of the wrecking of the Grand Pacific Hotel on Oct. 8, 1921, at Clark Street and Jackson Blvd., in preparation for the erection of the east half of the Illinois Merchants Bank Building, which was completed April 9, 1923. (Chicago Architectural) — The start of razing the Grand Pacific Hotel Oct. 8, 1921, at Clark Street and Jackson Boulevard, in preparation for the erection of the east half of the Illinois Merchants Bank Building, which was completed April 9, 1923. (Chicago Architectural)

1901: The American League formed in Chicago at the Grand Pacific Hotel with the White Sox as a charter member.

How have the Chicago Bears fared in every home opener in team history? Here’s a look back at each one since 1920.

1922: Staleys no more — Chicago’s professional football team changed its name to the Chicago Bears.

Nine firemen were killed and 15 others were injured after a wall collapsed inside a building at 614 Hubbard Street where they were fighting a blaze on Jan. 28, 1961. (Chicago Tribune) — Nine firemen were killed and 15 others were injured after a wall collapsed inside a building at 614 Hubbard St. as they were fighting a blaze on Jan. 28, 1961. (Chicago Tribune)

1961: Temperatures were near zero the morning when a warehouse building shared by Hilker & Bletsch Co., a bakery supply firm, and P. & P. Blueberry Packing Co. went up in flames. Disaster struck when a team of firefighters trying to rescue two comrades trapped in the building were imperiled by a collapsing wall. Nine firemen perished, including two battalion chiefs.

The emotional toll was heavy because one of them, George Rees, could be heard crying for help as firefighters struggled feverishly but in vain to reach him. It required more than 300 men, 67 pieces of equipment and two fireboats pumping water from the Chicago River to knock down the blaze. Even then, the rubble smoldered for days. The Tribune reported the sewers clogged with ice so the area looked like an ice rink with water up to 18 inches thick surrounding the building.

Lew Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, UCLA center, leaps high above the field to shoot a basket against Loyola in second game of a triple-header at the Chicago Stadium on Jan. 28, 1967. Alcindor scored 35 points as the UCLA squad won, 82-67. (AP) — Lew Alcindor, now known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, UCLA center, shoots the ball against Loyola in second game of a triple-header at Chicago Stadium on Jan. 28, 1967. Alcindor scored 35 points in the 82-67 UCLA victory. (AP)

1967: Though there was a massive storm in which 23 inches of snow fell on the city, basketball fans still made it to Chicago Stadium to watch sensational UCLA sophomore Lew Alcindor, who would later change his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The more than 7-foot-tall UCLA sophomore Lew Alcindor (who later changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar) was awarded the game ball on Jan. 29, 1967 after eclipsing Chicago Stadium's record for free throws in a 120-82 victory against Illinois. It was UCLA's 16th consecutive win in what became an undefeated season and the team's third consecutive championship in four seasons. (Chicago Tribune) — UCLA sophomore Lew Alcindor was awarded the game ball on Jan. 29, 1967, after eclipsing Chicago Stadium’s record for free throws in a 120-82 victory against Illinois. It was UCLA’s 16th consecutive win in what became an undefeated season and the team’s third consecutive championship in four seasons. (Chicago Tribune)

On Saturday, Alcindor warmed up by scoring 35 points as UCLA beat Loyola 82-67. On Sunday, he scored 45 as the Bruins romped 120-82 over Illinois. UCLA ended the season 30-0, winning the first of a record seven straight NCAA titles.

Ahmed Rehab, left, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago, and protesters gather at O'Hare International Airport on Jan. 28, 2017, in Chicago.U.S. authorities took more than a dozen travelers into custody at O'Hare in response to President Donald Trump's immigration order. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) — Ahmed Rehab, left, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago, and protesters gather at O’Hare International Airport on Jan. 28, 2017, in Chicago.U.S. authorities took more than a dozen travelers into custody at O’Hare in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration order. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

2017: President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration set off a tumultuous day at O’Hare International Airport as frantic relatives, hundreds of protesters and volunteer lawyers gathered there.

U.S. authorities took more than a dozen travelers into custody at O’Hare in response to Trump’s order — but lawyers who came to their aid said all were set free after a federal judge temporarily barred deportations. Local immigration reform advocates denounced the order.

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