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Today in Chicago History: ‘Chicago’ opens on Broadway — and remains after more than 11,400 performances

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Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Nov. 14, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

  • High temperature: 78 degrees (1971)
  • Low temperature: 14 degrees (1916)
  • Precipitation: 1.19 inches (1926)
  • Snowfall: 0.8 inches (1891)
Sid Luckman, right, shakes the hand of Chicago Bears owner George Halas after signing a two-year contract with the team in July 1939. (Chicago Tribune historical photo)

1943: Chicago Bears quarterback Sid Luckman “smashed a truckload of National Football League records,” the Tribune reported, while leading the Bears to a 56-7 rout of the New York Giants. Luckman threw for seven touchdowns; completed 21 of 32 passes; and piled up a new individual high of 453 yards.

Since Luckman, seven NFL quarterbacks have thrown seven touchdowns in a game.

The Chicago Bears won a thriller against the Washington Redskins on Nov. 14, 1971 at Soldier Field in Chicago. Dick Butkus caught a pass from Bobby Douglass for an extra point that put the Bears up 16-15. (Chicago Tribune)
The Chicago Bears won a thriller against the Washington Redskins on Nov. 14, 1971, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Dick Butkus caught a pass from Bobby Douglass for an extra point that put the Bears up 16-15. (Chicago Tribune)

1971: “When Dick Butkus beats you by catching a pass for one point in a 16-15 game, it hurts,” wrote Tribune reporter Don Pierson. The Washington Redskins were stunned.

Future Hall of Famer Butkus, an eligible receiver as a blocking back on the play, caught a 40-yard heave by Chicago Bears quarterback Bobby Douglass. It marked Butkus’ first NFL point.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: 10 key moments in George Halas’ life on the 40th anniversary of his death

1993: Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula earned his 325th win, passing Bears founder George Halas for the winningest coach in NFL history.

Caretaker Jose Billegas picks up some of the tributes left by well-wishers on the doorstep of the former residence of Cardinal Bernardin after his death, Nov. 21, 1996. The items were taken inside and dried and saved for the Cardinal's family. (Carl Wagner/Chicago Tribune)
Caretaker Jose Billegas picks up some of the tributes left by well-wishers on the doorstep of the former residence of Cardinal Joseph Bernardin after his death, Nov. 21, 1996. The items were taken inside and dried and saved for the cardinal’s family. (Carl Wagner/Chicago Tribune)

1996: Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernardin died at 1:33 a.m. after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer; he was 68.

Bernardin is entombed in Bishops’ Mausoleum at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Hillside, along with many other leaders of the archdiocese, including Cardinal John Cody; William Quarter, the first bishop of Chicago; and Patrick Feehan, the first archbishop.

In this Nov. 14, 2006 file photo, choreographer Ann Reinking, left, and Bebe Neuwirth perform during a dress rehearsal for Chicago's 10th anniversary show in New York. (Seth Wenig/AP)
Choreographer Ann Reinking, left, and Bebe Neuwirth during a dress rehearsal for “Chicago’s” 10th anniversary show in New York, Nov. 14, 2006. (Seth Wenig/AP)

Also in 1996: A revival of the 1975 musical “Chicago” — which was based on a play written by former Tribune reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins — opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York. Among the show’s numerous Tony Awards, Ann Reinking won one for her choreography.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: Murder, mayhem and ‘all that jazz’ — the real women who inspired Oscar winner ‘Chicago’

The “more cynical, darker show,” as Tribune critic Merrill Goozner described it, was given a “black box setting” with actors and dancers wearing basic — but barely there — black costumes. Slinky dances accompanied fast-paced music from the orchestra, which was seated on a raked bandstand in the background. “All That Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle” and the “Cell Block Tango” were pumped out with vigor, Tribune critic Richard Christiansen wrote.

With more than 11,400 performances, “Chicago” is the second-longest running show on Broadway behind “The Phantom of the Opera,” according to Playbill.

Surprised and exuberant, Jane Byrne and supporters, along with her campaign manager Don Rose (in glasses) on left, exult in her upset victory against Mayor Michael Bilandic on Feb. 27, 1979, in the Democratic mayoral primary in Chicago. (Anne Cusack/Chicago Tribune)
Surprised and exuberant, Jane Byrne and supporters, along with her campaign manager Don Rose, wearing glasses on left, exult in her upset victory against Mayor Michael Bilandic on Feb. 27, 1979, in the Democratic mayoral primary in Chicago. (Anne Cusack/Chicago Tribune)

2014: Jane Byrne, Chicago’s first female mayor, died.

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