Today in Chicago History: Fox’s WFLD-Ch. 32 begins broadcasting

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 4, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Front page flashback: Jan. 5, 2017

Six reputed leaders of the Hobos street gang were convicted of racketeering conspiracy charges on Jan. 4, 2017. A federal jury found the gang carried out a total of eight murders over the course of a decade. (Chicago Tribune)

Reputed leader Gregory “Bowlegs” Chester of the Hobos, a Chicago super gang, and alleged lieutenants Paris Poe, Arnold Council, Gabriel Bush, Derrick Vaughn and William Ford were convicted on racketeering conspiracy charges.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 64 degrees (1997)
Low temperature: Minus 14 degrees (1884)
Precipitation: 1.2 inches (1993)
Snowfall: 5.6 inches (2004)

Before the Chicago Bears played in the NFL’s fourth All-Star game on Jan. 4, 1942, head coach George Halas told his team: “It looks like this is your real test. This is the worst gridiron you’ve had to play on and it’s up to you to show your greatness, in spite of the conditions.” Despite the muddy playing field, the Bears scored five touchdowns on their way to a 35-24 victory. (Chicago Tribune)

1942: The Chicago Bears — who won the 1941 championship — defeated a team of NFL All-Stars 35-24 on a “dreary, chilly afternoon” at the Polo Grounds in New York City. It was the Bears’ 19th victory in 20 games. The game raised more than $51,000 (or more than $1 million in today’s dollars) for the Naval Relief Society.

Newsman Mike Flannery of WFLD-TV (Ch. 32) at the FOX studio newsroom in Chicago on June 19, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune) — Journalist Mike Flannery of WFLD-Ch. 32 at Chicago’s Fox studio newsroom on June 19, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

1966: Field Enterprises, then publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Daily News, launched WFLD-Ch. 32.

“We plan to be a station of selectivity,” said station director Sterling C. “Red” Quinlan. “We’ll be big in sports. We intend to show Chicagoans how the city works, how it is actually governed, what goes on behind the scenes. We mean to keep an eye on the town and jump into civic issues. We are not locked into anything and we’ll give all sorts of things a try.”

Chicago Bears Coach Neill Armstrong, the 11th man to direct the team in the club's 58-year history, huddles the players during his first practice on April 28, 1978. (Walter Kale/Chicago Tribune) — Chicago Bears Coach Neill Armstrong, the 11th man to direct the team in the club’s 58-year history, huddles with the players during his first practice on April 28, 1978. (Walter Kale/Chicago Tribune)

1982: Chicago Bears coach Neill Armstrong was fired after a 6-10 record during the 1981 season.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/12/02/chicago-bears-head-coaches-history/

Armstrong, who previously coached Edmonton in the Canadian Football League, made just one playoff appearance as Bears coach.

Who topped Halas’ list for the team’s next head coach? Mike Ditka.

Michael Jordan: Top moments and stats in the life and career of the Chicago Bulls and NBA legend

2002: Washington Wizards forward Michael Jordan became the fourth player in NBA history to score 30,000 career points when he hit a free throw in the second quarter of an 89-83 win against his old team — the Chicago Bulls. Jordan joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone and Wilt Chamberlain.

Ryne Sandberg, clutching his Hall of Fame plaque, waves to the Cooperstown, New York, crowd on July 31, 2005. (Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune)

2005: Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Sandberg was inducted on July 31, 2005, and delivered a stirring speech that criticized the products of the steroid era.

“When did it become OK for someone to hit home runs and forget how to play the rest of the game?” he asked.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Remembering Ryne Sandberg, the Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer

Sandberg spoke about playing the game “right because that’s what you’re supposed to do” and said if his election into the Hall validates anything it’s that “learning how to bunt, hit-and-run and turning two is more important than knowing where to find the little red light (on) the dugout camera.”

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