The Second City comedy troupe debuted 56 years ago today at a former laundromat on Chicago’s North Side. Since their first performance, Second City has become known worldwide and produced popular comedic artists including Dan Aykroyd to John Belushi and Bill Murray.

In 1976, Second City started a late-night television show with John Candy, Harold Ramis and George Wendt. A host of Second City comedians have performed on “Saturday Night Live,” beginning almost immediately after the show debuted in the mid-1970s.

Today, Second City performs at comedy clubs in Chicago, Southern California and Toronto, Canada.

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Read more about the history of The Second City