The Adler Planetarium, named after businessman Max Adler who helped create the museum, opened on Chicago’s Northerly Island in 1930. At the time, the planetarium was a first in the Western Hemisphere and featured astronomical instruments and antiques by Amsterdam astronomer W.M. Mensing.

Throughout the years, additions and expansions at the Adler Planetarium have kept guests intrigued and curious with our expansive universe. The Doane Observatory, opened in 1977, features a large aperture telescope and allows viewers to see the Moon, planets, stars and galaxies that are trillions of miles away. Several theaters, including the Grainger Sky Theater, offer multimedia exhibits second to none.

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Planning a trip to the Adler Planetarium? Visit the official website for essential travel information
Learn more about groundbreaking research taking place at the Adler

One of the most prominent baritone saxophonist of his generation, Hamiet Bluiett, was born on September 16, 1940 in Brooklyn, Illinois. He began studying clarinet at the age of 9 under his aunt’s tutelage. By the time he studied at Southern Illinois University, he had picked up the baritone sax and flute.

Bluiett launched a successful career after serving in the Navy for several years. During the mid-1960s, he moved to St. Louis, where he played with a musician’s collective known as the Black Artists Group. In 1969, he joined Sam River’s large ensemble, and he gained a famed place in one of Charles Mingus’ last great bands in 1972 thanks to his competency as a straight-ahead player.

In 1976, Bluiett recorded material for his first two albums, “Endangered Species” and “Birthright.” He went on to form the World Saxophone Quartet during the 1980s with David Murray, Oliver Lake and Julius Hemphill.  The quartet became arguably the most popular free jazz band ever during the 1980s. The group played well into the 2000s.

World Saxophone Quartet’s early free-blowing style eventually transformed to include a mixture of bebop, Dixieland, funk, free and various world music. Its characteristic style was anchored and largely defined by Bluiett’s enormous sound.

Throughout his performing and recording career, Bluiett led his own ensembles and recorded a number of strong, progressive-mainstream albums for Black Saint/Soul Note. He also recorded and led sessions for Mapleshade Records during the mid-1990s with “Young Warrior, Old Warrior,” “Bluiett’s Barbeque Band” and “If Trees Could Talk.” He recorded “Libation for the Baritone Saxophone Nation,” “With Eyes Wide Open” and “The Calling” for Justin Time.

Bluiett has worked with greats including Sam Rivers, Babatunde Olatunji, Abdullah Ibrahim, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. He currently performs at gigs that include the New Haven Jazz Festival and with students from the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, Conn.

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Hamiet Bluiett: Redefining The Baritone Sax (NPR Music)
Hamiet Bluiett’s Discography

The father of Bebop, Miles Davis, was born in Alton in 1926, the son of a dental surgeon and a music teacher. Davis’ immense talent and interest in music was first cultivated at the age of 12 when he began taking trumpet lessons. In high school, he was already playing weekend gigs at bars in East St. Louis, where the Davis family moved shortly after Miles’ birth. After graduating from East St. Louis Lincoln High School and playing for several local St. Louis bands, Davis moved to New York City and attended the Institute of Musical Art (what is now Juilliard).

It was in New York that Davis made the transition to a professional jazz musician. He played in the Charlie Parker Quintet, worked with Gil Evans on creating a nonet and eventually landed a deal with Capitol Records. In the 1950s, Davis played in a quintet with John Coltrane, Red Garland, Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones. Davis released the studio album Kind of Blue in 1959. The album, which was certified quadruple platinum, is today acknowledged as one of the best jazz albums of all time. Davis continued his success into the 1960s and 1970s, recording several successful studio albums and touring with a host of artists across the globe.

It was Davis’ ability to experiment and push the limits of jazz music that made him so well-known. His innovative music earned him nine Grammy awards and the honor of being the first jazz musician to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.

To recognize Davis’ birthplace and the role he played in musical history, the city of Alton recently unveiled a bronze statue of the music legend in their downtown entertainment district.

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Learn more about the life and musical success of Miles Davis

Then-U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon’s famous presidential debate was filmed in Chicago on September 16, 1960.

The first of four debates recorded by CBS’s WBBM-TV attracted enormous publicity. Presidential scholars argue that Kennedy’s on-screen appearance and performance helped him and was the major turning point of his campaign.

Since the 1960s, televised presidential debates have become a permanent fixture of the political process.

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To learn more about the debate click here

Jennifer Hudson was born on September 12, 1981 in Chicago. Her fame started when she became a contestant on “American Idol” in 2004. Hudson was a finalist for the competition but didn’t come out on top in the end. However, she did gain a substantial fan base that stayed loyal and wanted to see her succeed.

In 2005, she got a role in a Broadway musical and Hollywood movie entitled “Dreamgirls.” You may have heard her rendition of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.” The film earned her a Golden Globe and an Oscar in the Supporting Actress category.

Hudson was in “The Secret Life of Bees” in 2008, which also starred Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys. In the same year, her self-titled album won a Grammy for Best R&B Album. Hudson recently released her third studio album, JHUD.

Hudson was also a Weight Watchers spokeswoman for a time, losing a substantial amount of weight, becoming an inspiration for many. Hudson keeps busy running and improving her clothing line and various other small projects.

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See Hudson’s website here for more information on the pop culture icon