Today in Chicago History: A dinosaur named Sue is unveiled at the Field Museum
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 17, 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: 94 degrees (1962)
Low temperature: 36 degrees (2002)
Precipitation: 3.11 inches (2020)
Snowfall: None
1900: L. Frank Baum's 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' was published. Baum wrote the book when he lived on Chicago's West Side.
1979: The wind was blowing out at Wrigley Field. The first inning tipped off what was coming. The Philadelphia Phillies scored seven runs on seven hits. The Chicago Cubs scored six on seven hits. Mike Schmidt cracked his second home run in the top of the 10th to win it 23-22.
There were 50 hits in the game, 26 by the Cubs, and 11 were home runs. Dave Kingman hit three homers for the Cubs. Bill Buckner, Steve Ontiveros and Jerry Martin had one apiece. Bob Boone, Gary Maddox and Randy Lerch homered for the Phils. On cold nights in the winter of 1979-80, WGN-TV replayed the 23-22 game. Ratings were very good.
2000: Sue — the largest, most complete and best preserved Tyrannosaurus rex specimen found to that date — debuted in Stanley Field Hall (the lobby inside the Field Museum).
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Sue the T. rex's journey to the Field Museum
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