Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Sept. 3, 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: 97 degrees (1953)
- Low temperature: 47 degrees (1974)
- Precipitation: 1.92 inches (1961)
- Snowfall: None
1904: Chicago Athletic Association’s Charles Dvorak traveled to France for the 1900 Summer Olympics — but failed to win a gold medal. The pole vault competition, as he understood it, was supposed to take place on a Sunday.
Since this would have violated the Sabbath, he was told the event would be rescheduled. According to the University of Michigan, however, the event took place after Dvorak and other American athletes left the competition area. Dvorak was awarded a silver medal in a consolation competition that was held to accommodate the U.S. team.
He returned to Olympic competition in St. Louis four years later, posting an Olympic record 11 feet, 6 inches to take home the gold. Dvorak, according to the Olympic Games, was the first vaulter to use a lighter bamboo pole instead of the heavier ash or hickory pole.
Since this would have violated the Sabbath, he was told the event would be rescheduled. According to the University of Michigan, however, the event took place after Dvorak and other American athletes left the competition area. Dvorak was awarded a silver medal in a consolation competition that was held to accommodate the U.S. team.
He returned to Olympic competition in St. Louis four years later, posting an Olympic record 11 feet, 6 inches to take home the gold. Dvorak, according to the Olympic Games, was the first vaulter to use a lighter bamboo pole instead of the heavier ash or hickory pole.
1970: Chicago Cubs Hall of Famer Billy Williams ended a streak of playing in 1,117 consecutive games. The left fielder sat out while the Cubs beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-2.
1975: Chicago Teachers Union members voted by a nearly 9-to-1 margin to strike on Sept. 3, 1975, which was supposed to be the first day of the school year. Union President Robert M. Healey said the issues were a complete contract for the 1975-76 school year, smaller class sizes, a cost-of-living pay raise and an improved fringe benefits package.
How it was resolved: The Board of Education agreed on Sept. 17, 1975, to a new contract giving CTU a 7.1% salary increase, smaller class sizes, improved insurance benefits and restoration of 1,525 teaching positions that had been cut.
The agreement for the 1975-76 school year, in which Mayor Richard J. Daley played a behind-the-scenes role as a mediator, cost $79.6 million. Of that, $68.8 million went to employees represented by the CTU and $10.8 million to others.
1984: Chicago Transit Authority trains were extended to O’Hare International Airport. At 90 cents for a one-way trip, the “L” was “a much better deal than a taxi or special shuttle bus,” the Tribune reported.
