Chicago Area Retrospective: Historical Events and Highlights

Historical Review of May 16 in Chicago

On May 16, various notable events occurred in the Chicago area according to the Tribune archives. Let’s revisit some of these remarkable moments.

Film Critic Review: ‘Top Gun’

On May 16, 1986, Tribune film critic Gene Siskel provided an analysis of the film ‘Top Gun.’ He praised the aerial sequences for their excitement and coherence but criticized the romance between characters Pete Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise) and Charlotte Blackwood (played by Kelly McGillis), labeling it as ‘phony.’ Despite these critiques, Siskel awarded the film 3 out of 4 stars, projecting its success compared to ‘The Right Stuff.’

Weather Records

The National Weather Service recorded the following weather extremes in Chicago for May 16:

• High temperature: 94 degrees in 1962
• Low temperature: 33 degrees in 1997
• Precipitation: 1.38 inches in 1974
• Snowfall: Trace in 2019

Union Station’s Opening

In 1925, Union Station was inaugurated. It was celebrated as ‘America’s latest triumph in railroading.’ The concourse building, situated along the Chicago River, became a vital hub with its office building and main waiting room.

Ben Hecht and the Academy Awards

During the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929, Chicago newspaperman Ben Hecht won an Oscar for Distinguished Achievement in Writing the Original Story for the film ‘Underworld.’ Though the statuette wasn’t named ‘Oscar’ until the 1930s, Hecht received recognition for his concise script. His Oscar is now housed at the Newberry Library, a highly requested artifact.

Carlton Fisk’s Remarkable Achievement

In 1984, at age 36, White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk emerged from a 0-for-18 slump. He became the third player in franchise history to hit for the cycle — a single, double, triple, and home run — in a game against the Kansas City Royals. Fisk attributed his improved performance to recovering after an earlier marathon game where he caught 25 innings.

Michael Jordan: NBA Rookie of the Year

Michael Jordan was acknowledged as NBA Rookie of the Year in 1985, having averaged 28.2 points and played in all 82 games during the season. The award was presented to him during a ceremony held the following month. Jordan reflected on the remarkable season, expressing the uniqueness and attention it brought him.

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