Historical Events in the Chicago Area on November 9

1968 Earthquake Impacting Chicago

On November 9, 1968, Chicagoans experienced an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.3. This tremor originated in southern Illinois and was notable for being the strongest recorded in the state. The earthquake was felt across more than 20 states.

Weather Extremes in Chicago History

The following are notable weather records for Chicago on November 9, as reported by the National Weather Service:

• High temperature: 76 degrees in 2020
• Low temperature: 14 degrees in 1991
• Precipitation: 2.69 inches in 1966
• Snowfall: 1.3 inches in 1926

1893 Chicago Harbor Lighthouse

The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse began operations at the mouth of the Chicago River on November 9, 1893. This 48-foot brick structure was moved east of Navy Pier in 1917. It was automated in 1979 and featured in a relief sculpture near City Hall. In 2009, the city of Chicago acquired it under the National Historic Lighthouse Preservation Act of 2000.

1913 White Hurricane

From November 7-10, 1913, the “White Hurricane” caused chaos on the Great Lakes with intense winds and towering waves. This storm sank at least a dozen ships and resulted in over 250 deaths. Though Chicago didn’t experience snowfall, high winds caused significant damage, costing Lincoln Park approximately $200,000.

2015 Legal Sale of Medical Marijuana

On November 9, 2015, legal sales of medical marijuana commenced in Illinois. Six stores began selling, and demand was evident with a waiting list of 96 patients. This set the stage for the legal recreational sale of marijuana, which began on January 1, 2020.