Historical Events in the Chicago Area on July 25th

Cecil Calimee’s Ordeal

On July 25, 1994, Cecil Calimee, a Chicago Transit Authority employee, experienced a harrowing incident. While at his ticket booth at the Blue Line station on Kedzie Avenue and 19th Street, an assailant set him on fire. Calimee, a former semipro football player and basketball coach, sustained burns on his face, chest, and left arm shortly after opening the booth around 4 a.m.

Historical Weather in Chicago

The National Weather Service recorded varied weather conditions on this date in Chicago. In 1940, the temperature reached a high of 101 degrees, while in 1911, a low of 53 degrees was noted. On July 25, 1993, precipitation measured 1.22 inches, and no snowfall occurred.

Arrival of Sea Lions

In July 1889, 19 sea lions arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo from Santa Barbara, California. Capt. Cyrus Alvah Eastman transported the sea lions, feeding them fish on their train journey to ensure their survival. Although 19 survived the trip, the new residents soon caused tension. Neighbors complained about the loud noises from the sea lions, especially at night.

Transformation of O’Hare

In 1942, the Douglas Aircraft Co. announced plans to build an assembly plant on 1,347 acres of farmland at Orchard Place. The project required demolishing homes and leveling land, which later led to the development of O’Hare International Airport.

Incident at St. John of God Church

On July 25, 1984, a gunman entered St. John of God Catholic Church in the New City neighborhood and shot at a “weeping” statue of the Virgin Mary. While the bullets hit the statue and a wall, none of the 40 congregants were harmed, and the shooter escaped capture.

Honoring Ida B. Wells

In 2018, Chicago’s City Council renamed Congress Parkway to Ida B. Wells Drive. This change marked the first time a downtown Chicago street was named for an African American woman, honoring Ida B. Wells’ influence as an activist.