Chicago Tribune Archives: Key Events on January 14
Headline: Blizzard of ’79 Paralyzes City; Jordan Retires Again in ’99
A look back at the Chicago Tribune’s archives for January 14 reveals a date marked by extreme weather, sports milestones, and Prohibition-era crime. From the defining snowstorm of the 20th century to the departure of a basketball legend, this date has frequently captured the city at pivotal moments.
1979: The Blizzard that Changed City Politics
On January 14, 1979, Chicago was in the grip of the infamous “Blizzard of ’79.” While snow had begun falling heavily the previous day, it was on this date that the full scope of the paralysis became clear. By 2 a.m., over 20 inches of snow had blanketed the city on top of an existing ground cover, bringing the total depth to nearly 30 inches.
- Impact: O’Hare International Airport was closed for 96 hours, and public transit ground to a halt. The temperature plunged to record lows, with wind chills reaching 49 degrees below zero.
- Political Fallout: The storm is widely cited by historians as the catalyst for the end of Mayor Michael Bilandic’s administration. Public outrage over the city’s slow response and unplowed streets—particularly in neighborhoods outside the downtown core—surged on this day, paving the way for Jane Byrne’s upset victory in the mayoral primary weeks later.
1999: Michael Jordan Bids Farewell (The Second Time)
Twenty years after the blizzard, the headlines on January 14, 1999, were dominated by the second retirement of Chicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan. Following a press conference on January 13 at the United Center, papers across the region, including the Northwest Herald and Chicago Tribune, published historic front pages commemorating the end of the dynasty.
- Context: Jordan’s departure came after the 1998 “Last Dance” championship season and amidst an NBA lockout. At the time, he stated he was “99.9 percent” sure he would never play again, a figure that would later be challenged when he returned to play for the Washington Wizards in 2001. The coverage on this day focused heavily on his legacy, with headlines like “Air of Dignity” reflecting the somber but celebratory mood of the city.
1926: Prohibition Raid Uncovers Massive Brewery
Going further back, the January 14, 1926, archives highlight the intense enforcement of Prohibition in the Chicago area. The Woodstock Sentinel and other regional papers reported a significant bust four miles northeast of Cary, Illinois. Authorities discovered a “large brewery” operation, seizing thousands of dollars in equipment and illicit alcohol. The raid was part of a broader crackdown on the “wet” resistance that flourished in Chicago and its suburbs during the 1920s.
1914: Local Crime and “Gregorian” Shifts
In 1914, local papers like the Joliet Evening Herald focused on grim local news, including the “Last Resort of Rockdale Axe Murderer,” detailing the final legal appeals of a local convict. Less sensationally, the papers on this day also noted the “New Year in Gregorian Calendar” for the region’s Greek and Russian Orthodox communities, highlighting the diverse immigrant populations that were reshaping the city’s demographics at the turn of the century.
2016: Political Aftershocks
In more recent history, January 14, 2016, saw the city still reeling from the release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video. Headlines from this period covered the intense political pressure on then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the shifting policies within the Chicago Police Department, marking a modern chapter in the city’s ongoing dialogue regarding policing and civil rights.
