Significant Events in Chicago on October 20

Here’s a look back at noteworthy events in the Chicago area on October 20, according to historical records. If you know of an important event missing from this date, you can email the Tribune team.

Chicago Milestones

October 20, 1926

Wacker Drive opened, showcasing city planning and development. A view looking southwest on its dedication day captures the essence of early Chicago infrastructure.

Weather Records

From the National Weather Service, Chicago:

• High temperature of 86°F in 1953
• Low temperature of 24°F in 1930
• Precipitation reached 1.65 inches in 1916
• Snowfall of 3 inches in 1952

October 20, 1925

The Kenneth Sawyer Goodman Memorial Theatre, dedicated in honor of the late Chicago playwright, marked a cornerstone of Chicago’s theater scene. Initially next to the Art Institute of Chicago, it relocated in 1988 to make way for the institute’s Modern Wing, opening at 170 N. Dearborn Street in 2000.

Notable Incidents

1995: Prison Disturbance

In the Federal Correctional Institution in Greenville, a significant unrest occurred. Inmates seized most of a housing unit after a lockdown was enforced by guards under Justice Department orders.

2014: Laquan McDonald Shooting

Officer Jason Van Dyke of the Chicago police shot 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times at 4100 South Pulaski Road. McDonald succumbed to his injuries at Mount Sinai Hospital. Van Dyke was found guilty of second-degree murder and aggravated battery, serving over three years before his release in February 2022.

Institutional Changes

2015: College of DuPage Leadership

The College of DuPage trustees dismissed President Robert Breuder, citing reckless spending and inadequate financial oversight among eight reasons. A subsequent legal dispute concluded with Breuder’s $4 million settlement in 2022.

For more stories from the city’s past, you can subscribe to the Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, join the Chicagoland history Facebook group, or follow their Instagram page. Suggestions for Vintage Chicago Tribune content can be sent to Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at their Tribune email addresses.