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Today in Chicago History: McCormick Place burns

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Jan. 16, according to the Tribune’s archives.

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

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 57 degrees (1990)
  • Low temperature: Minus 25 degrees (1982)
  • Precipitation: 0.90 inches (2017)
  • Snowfall: 6.4 inches (1885)
“To be the greatest merchant of the present day is to be the greatest merchant in the history of the world,” the Tribune wrote about Marshall Field after the department store founder’s death in 1906. (Chicago Tribune)

1906: Marshall Field died in New York of pneumonia contracted during a winter game of golf. He’s buried in Graceland Cemetery.

1967: McCormick Place was destroyed by fire.

A blaze started in draperies inside a housewares exhibit inside the north end of McCormick Place early on Jan. 16, 1967 and quickly spread. The building was destroyed. (Chicago Tribune)
A blaze started in draperies inside a housewares exhibit inside the north end of McCormick Place early on Jan. 16, 1967 and quickly spread. The building was destroyed. (Chicago Tribune)

2017: “Here is something none of my predecessors ever got a chance to say: Welcome to the White House the World Series Champion, Chicago Cubs!”

President Barack Obama honored the 2016 Chicago Cubs with a celebration day in Washington, D.C.

During the team’s visit to the White House on Jan. 16, 2017, the Chicago Cubs offered President Barack Obama a “pardon” for being a White Sox fan. (Chicago Tribune)

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