Today in Chicago History: Two police officers killed by snipers inside Cabrini-Green high-rise
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Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
1955: A Braniff Airways twin-engine Convair 340 trying to land at Midway Airport in the fog struck a gas station sign just beyond the airport and crashed, killing 22 people and injuring 21. This was one of several accidents that prompted the city and federal government to restrict obstructions and the height of buildings near airports.
1966: Chicago Cubs left fielder and Hall of Famer Billy Williams hit for the cycle.
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Chicago Cubs who have hit for the cycleIn the second game of a doubleheader against the Cardinals in St. Louis: 'The sweet swinger from Mobile way achieved the dream of everyone who ever toted a bat to the plate,' Tribune reporter Edward Prell wrote.
Williams hit a single, double, triple and a homer — precisely in that order — in the Cubs' 7-2 win.
1970: Two Chicago police officers walking in Seward Park — Sgt. James Severin and Patrolman Anthony Rizzato — were shot and killed by snipers firing high-powered rifles from a Cabrini-Green high-rise.
Within minutes, other officers arrived to retrieve their bodies and return gunfire. Later, Johnny Veal and George Knights were convicted in the shooting deaths. Both were serving 100- to 199-year sentences. Veal was granted parole by the Illinois Prisoner Review Board in 2021.
1974: Illinois issued the first state lottery license to a Chicago coffee shop. Although other agent licenses had already been distributed, the establishment at 1419 W. Taylor St. was chosen to stage a ceremonial 'grand opening' of the Illinois Lottery.
Vintage Chicago Tribune: Illinois Lottery's first drawing took place 50 years agoAl and Theresa Prisco were interviewed as lottery officials taped posters to the coffee shop walls urging customers to use their coffee change to buy lottery tickets. A $1.5 million advertising campaign — including a supplement section published in the Tribune that taught readers how to play the games — followed.
'We've been here 25 years,' Al Prisco told the Tribune. 'I didn't expect to celebrate it with a bang like this.'
1980: Chicago Bears founder and owner George Halas signed a new 20-year lease for the team to play at Soldier Field.
1984: 'I tell you we need a change! Come November, there will be a change because our time has come!' The Rev. Jesse Jackson ended his presidential campaign but promised to throw his support behind the Democratic Party's candidate while speaking at the party's convention in San Francisco.
Highlights in the life of Rev. Jesse Jackson: Minister, civil rights advocate, politician, intermediary, social justice proponent and COVID-19 survivorSubscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group, stay current with Today in Chicago History and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past.
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