Today in Chicago History: Montgomery Ward department store announces it will shut down operations

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

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

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Bears playoff appearances — including the ‘Sneakers Game’, the ‘Fog Bowl,’ and ‘Double Doink’

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

High temperature: 69 degrees (1984)
Low temperature: Minus 13 degrees (1924)
Precipitation: 1.47 inches (2015)
Snowfall: 8 inches (1987)

This drawing for a dishwashing machine, which was patented on Dec. 28, 1886, was developed by Chicago inventor Josephine Cochran. (U.S. Patent Office)

1886: Chicago resident Josephine Cochran received U.S. Patent No. 355,139 for a dishwasher. Although she was not the first to invent it, hers was the first design to use water pressure rather than scrubbers to clean dishes. Chicago’s Palmer House was the first to order her machine.

The Chicago Cardinals won their second NFL championship on Dec. 28, 1947, by defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21. (Chicago Tribune)

1947: The Chicago Cardinals — the oldest pro football franchise in the NFL — won their second championship with a 28-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the title game at Comiskey Park.

Team owner Violet Bidwill moved the team to St. Louis in 1960, where her second husband, Walter Wolfner, was from. Though she, too, later died suddenly, the Bidwill family still retains ownership of the team, now the Arizona Cardinals, because of her efforts.

1956: The final episode of “Ding Dong School” aired after host Frances Horwich (Miss Frances) refused to accept an ad from a maker of BB guns. NBC then canceled the show.

Flashback: Before ‘Mister Rogers,’ Miss Frances and her hit show ‘Ding Dong School’ made children feel seen

The father of sisters Barbara and Patricia Grimes identified their bodies, which were discovered on Jan. 22, 1957 near Burr Ridge. The girls disappeared on Dec. 28, 1956. (Chicago Tribune) — The father of sisters Barbara and Patricia Grimes identified their bodies, which were discovered on Jan. 22, 1957, near Burr Ridge. The girls had disappeared on Dec. 28, 1956. (Chicago Tribune)

Also in 1956: Barbara and Patricia Grimes slipped away from their home in Chicago’s McKinley Park neighborhood to see an Elvis Presley movie at a nearby theater, but never returned.

Their nude bodies were discovered along a rural road in January 1957 near Burr Ridge. The case remains unsolved.

1998: Chicago Bears coach Dave Wannstedt was fired, after back-to-back 4-12 seasons.

Ben Johnson is the 19th Chicago Bears head coach. Here’s a look at how past coaches fared — and why they left.

Mike Ditka’s successor came highly regarded after coaching the Dallas Cowboys defense to a Super Bowl victory under Jimmy Johnson, but he made the playoffs only once as Bears coach. His 1-11 record against the Green Bay Packers didn’t help either.

Chicago-based department store Montgomery Ward & Co. announced on Dec. 28, 2000, it was shutting down operations. (Chicago Tribune)

2000: Montgomery Ward & Co. — one of the nation’s oldest retailers and a venerable Chicago institution — announced it would liquidate its 250-store chain after a disappointing Christmas selling season. The decision was made by Ward’s parent, General Electric Co.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Shopping malls!!!!!

The closure meant 28,000 employees would lose their jobs — including about 1,000 corporate employees at the company’s headquarters at 535 W. Chicago Ave.

In this Dec. 28, 2016, file photo, Northwestern running back Justin Jackson (21) runs for a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the third quarter of the Pinstripe Bowl NCAA college football game in New York. (Julie Jacobson/AP) — Northwestern running back Justin Jackson (21) runs for a touchdown against Pittsburgh during the third quarter of the Pinstripe Bowl on Dec. 28, 2016 in New York. (Julie Jacobson/AP)

2016: Northwestern defeated No. 22 Pittsburgh 31-24 in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium, the third bowl victory in the school’s history. Tailback Justin Jackson — a Glenbard North grad — rushed for 224 yards and three scores on 32 carries.

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