Significant Historical Events in the Chicago Area on May 21

Amelia Earhart’s Historic Achievement

On May 21, 1932, Amelia Earhart completed a solo flight from New Jersey to Northern Island. She was the first woman to achieve this. Earhart, a Hyde Park High School alumna, covered 2,026.5 miles in 14 hours and 54 minutes. “I made this flight for fun,” she stated, emphasizing her passion for flying.

Earhart received a medal in Chicago a month later during an event celebrating George Washington’s birth bicentennial. Despite being married, she preferred to be known professionally by her maiden name, exemplifying her belief that women in aviation deserve the same recognition as women writers.

Weather Records in Chicago

The National Weather Service recorded a high temperature of 92 degrees in 1977 for May 21. In contrast, 2002 marked a low of 31 degrees. May 21, 2018, saw significant rainfall with 1.96 inches, while 1969 recorded a trace of snowfall.

Lake Michigan Shipwreck

In 1891, the Thomas Hume schooner disappeared with its crew en route to Muskegon, Michigan. Unlike the Rouse Simmons, which turned back due to rough waters, the Thomas Hume vanished. It now rests 147 feet below the surface, 22 miles from Belmont Harbor, a site explored by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association.

The “Crime of the Century”

In 1924, Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb, two affluent teens, committed the murder of Bobby Franks. Their action, which they considered the “perfect murder,” shocked the nation. They left Franks’ body near Wolf Lake, Indiana, and eventually confessed, bringing them to trial for what became known as the “crime of the century.”

Charles Lindbergh’s Trans-Atlantic Flight

On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo nonstop trans-Atlantic flight. Lindbergh flew for 33 hours and 29 minutes from New York to Paris. As he landed, he famously asked, “Am I in Paris?” marking a monumental achievement in aviation history.

Record-Breaking Baseball Game

May 21, 1943, saw the Chicago White Sox win the fastest nine-inning game in American League history. They defeated the Washington Senators 1-0 at Comiskey Park in just 1 hour and 29 minutes.

Antiques Theft at Merchandise Mart

In 2017, a jewel-encrusted Asprey & Co. mystery clock, valued at $425,000, was stolen from an antiques exhibition at Merchandise Mart. The incident highlighted security challenges at such prestigious events.