20-05-2025
Today in Chicago History: Cubs catcher Michael Barrett punches A.J. Pierzynski during Crosstown Classic
Here's a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on May 20, 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: 95 degrees (1977)
Low temperature: 33 degrees (2002)
Precipitation: 2.54 inches (1975)
Snowfall: None
1943: During bad weather, a United States Army Air Corps B-24 Liberator crashed into a 500-foot-tall gas storage tank at Municipal Airport (now known as Chicago's Midway International Airport). All 12 people aboard the flight, which originated in Fort Worth, Texas, died.
'There was an instantaneous explosion of terrific violence and flames shot high from the top of the circular steel structure,' the Tribune reported. Heat generated by the explosion was felt more than a mile away.
1970: University of Chicago physicist Albert Crewe, former director of Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, announced he captured images in a specially built microscope of single atoms as they exist in molecules. It marked the first time scientists could 'see' the incredibly small world of atoms.
1987: Doris Fischer, her two daughters and a son-in-law pleaded guilty to running a prostitution ring out of their Buffalo Grove home as part of a probe by the FBI and Internal Revenue Service called 'Operation Safebet.'
1988: Laurie Dann shot six children at Hubbard Woods Elementary School in Winnetka killing 8-year-old Nicholas Corwin, during a rampage that ended in her own death in the North Shore suburb.
1992: Chicago aldermen frustrated with the proliferation of graffiti in their neighborhoods banned the outright sale of spray paint cans in the city, branding them 'weapons of terror.' Ald. Richard Mell, 33rd, resurrected the long-dormant proposal, which won approval 38-1. Only Ald. Dorothy Tillman, 3rd, dissented saying that aldermen should be more concerned with problems of unemployment and housing than keeping spray paint cans out of the hands of vandals. The ban is still in effect.
1994: The Chicago Bulls played their last game at Chicago Stadium — a 93-79 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls lost the series on the road in Game 7.
2006: Chicago White Sox baserunner A.J. Pierzynski's shoulder block into Chicago Cubs catcher Michael Barrett spawned a second-inning, bench-clearing brouhaha at home plate. The fight boiled led to four ejections — including Pierzynski and Barrett.
Pierzynski said he was simply trying to score and Barrett was in his way. Barrett conceded Pierzynski had 'every right' to slam into him and that he made a 'great play.' But he said he was 'irritated' when the Sox catcher walked toward him after the play.
'I hit Michael (who was blocking home plate) and I got up and my helmet was right behind him,' Pierzynski said. 'I went to get my helmet and the next thing I know I'm in a bearhug and he said, 'I didn't have the ball, b—.' The next thing I know I got punched.'
The Sox wound up beating the Cubs 7-0. Barrett received a 10-game suspension and undisclosed fine, while Pierzynski received only a $2,000 fine.
2012: Though President Barack Obama relocated a planned G-8 Summit to Camp David, a NATO summit took place as scheduled in Chicago, drawing thousands of protesters to the city's streets.
2017: The Cubs postponed an afternoon game against the Milwaukee Brewers because of the threat of inclement weather. When it didn't rain, Brewers General Manager David Stearns suggested the Cubs had ulterior motives.
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