The most famous road in America, traveled on by generations, is a symbol of unlimited mobility and freedom of the road. Route 66 is iconic for America’s highway culture – and it starts right here in Illinois.
It was created in 1926 as part of the numbered highway network and became the preferred road west. It quickly gained fame as the shortest route between the Midwest and the west coast as it passed through the American Southwest.
Chicago is known for its location right on Lake Michigan, but have you ever wondered how its lakeshore became such an important aspect of the city? Architect Daniel Burnham is to thank for that.
Burnham was born in Henderson, New York in 1846 and moved to Chicago when he was 8 years old. While he was never good at school, he always had a knack for drawing. At age 18, he moved back east for his studies but failed to pass admissions exams for Harvard and Yale, pushing him to move back to Chicago at age 21. It was there where he started his career as an architect at the Loring & Jenney architectural firm.
Happy National Popcorn Day! Popcorn is a treat that people know very well. Topped with butter and salt, for many people, it brings back nostalgic memories of nights at the movie theater or on the sofa as a family. However, there are places in Illinois that give popcorn a more unique flavor.
Today is former First Lady Michelle Obama’s birthday. She was born Michelle Robinson on January 17, 1964 in Chicago and grew up in a bungalow in the city’s Southside. As a child, she enjoyed reading and playing games with family members, including her older brother, Craig. The two were so close they were frequently confused for twins.