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City Cast Chicago

Michelle Navarro

If you are like me, all your family history lives within multiple photo albums and VHS tapes stored in your parents’ living room cabinets. I love the rare occurrences where we pull them out and talk about the day that the photo was captured, who was still around, and how the block used to look.

What if you could share that family history with the city? These three archival projects are keeping Chicago family stories alive through photographs and videos past and present.

Black Film Club Collective’s new archival project, Making Meaning, partnered with photographer Kenn Cook Jr. to take 

beautiful black and white portraits of West Side families

 like photos and home movies that reflect life on the West Side to their collection.

 is dedicated to digitizing and showcasing Chicago’s Latine history. The project, founded in 2024, hosts photo-scanning events where Chicagoans can digitize their memories. They accept submissions of photographs taken before 2008.

📷 This collection makes me so nostalgic of my childhood in Chicago because it showcases backyard parties, kids playing in open fire hydrants, posing outside of storefronts that no longer exist, or the everyday gatherings with family and friends.

This searchable catalog has over 700 digitized home movies shot by South Siders from 1929-1982. The project started over two decades ago with the mission to preserve and celebrate personal histories on the South Side. If you are or were a South Sider, you can 

How are you preserving old family photos and home movies? 

If you are like me, all your family history lives within multiple photo albums and VHS tapes stored in your parents’ living room cabinets.

Who’s Preserving Chicago Family History?

People, places, and scenes from Chicago's past.

Chicago History

Emily Mack

, Chicago’s first non-indiginous permanent settler, arrived in 1779 and set up shop — er, trading post — along the north bank of the Chicago River. Along with his 

, DuSable did business with Native Americans, plus British and French explorers.

 had thriving trade networks across the Great Lakes region. (

Those routes eventually became our diagonal streets!

All that came long before Chicago’s official incorporation as a city on 

. At that point, the city had about 4,000 residents. (It was 

.) From then on, it was full steam ahead.

Does incorporation truly = birthday? In Chicago, it certainly does. Any reason to celebrate!

Chicago’s biggest birthday party this year takes place at the city’s marked geographic center: 

 in McKinley Park. The free event will be inside Andrew Lutheran Church. Expect cake, live music, and a rendition of 

“Happy Birthday” in multiple languages

 at 18th Street Casa de Cultura in the Lower West Side. 

Remember how Chicago turned its stinking river around?

Here’s where Al Capone actually hung out

An ode to poetry from the City of the Big Shoulders

Why alleys are still the backbone of Chicago

The etymological and environmental mystery of the Windy City

Why Chicago’s flag rules — and Illinois’ doesn’t

Now, I leave you with my favorite quote about this 

“Chicago … Like loving a woman with a broken nose, you may well find lovelier lovelies, but never a lovely so real.”

Chicago's official incorporation was in 1837, but Native American tribes had thriving trade networks across the Great Lakes region going much farther back.

Happy Birthday, Chicago!

It's officially spooky season. To get into the spirit, we made a bracket of some of the scariest things Chicagoans may encounter. 

Vote on which of these Chicago experiences gives you the chills. We'll announce the winner soon!

 spooky at first, the City Cast Chicago podcast team broke down 

why these could be the stuff of horror films

Vote on which of these Chicago experiences gives you the chills.

What's the Scariest Thing in Chicago?

Find the best of everything that Chicago has to offer.

Chicago’s Best

Chicago's Best

Chicago has always been a labor town, which is why we’re diving into the local connection to Labor Day ahead of the holiday weekend.

President Grover Cleveland did not want states celebrating May Day, a spring holiday socialists abroad created to commemorate the fatal labor rally in Chicago’s Haymarket Square in 1886.

Labor Day was made a federal holiday to appease the labor movement

 amid the Pullman Strike in the late 19th century, according to National Geographic.


But it was largely seen as a performative gesture since Cleveland sent federal troops to the city to end the boycott. Strikers rioted, and the National Guard fired into the crowd and killed dozens of people.

What’s Happening on Labor Day in Chicago This Year?

On Monday, labor groups and activists will rally at the Haymarket Memorial in West Loop. The “

” march will protest President Donald Trump’s threats to send the National Guard to Chicago.

In addition to learning about the strike that led to Labor Day’s creation at the 

The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum

 explores the birth of the Black labor movement.

 has an online tour about the Haymarket Affair.

 features a permanent exhibition looking at workers’ rights and other struggles.

This article was originally published Aug. 30, 2023

Why You Can Thank Chicago for Labor Day

What's being decided in Chicago City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and Chicago City Council. 

Chicago Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

, we're testing the knowledge of some of our City Cast Chicago members on the podcast. Play along with the quiz below!

The quiz is broken up into five different categories: Getting Around, Chicago Poetry, Chicago Jingles, Chicago Politics, and The Great Chicago Fire. The first question of each category is on the easier side and is worth one point. The second question of each category is more difficult and is worth five points.

On today’s podcast, we test the knowledge of some of our City Cast Chicago members to see how well they know Chicago. Play along with us!

The Ultimate Chicago Quiz

How Well Do YOU Know Chicago?

What Chicagoans have been wondering. We break down why things in Chicago are the way they are and how they work.

Chicago, Explained

Between Valentine’s Day and other holidays, there’s lots to love about Chicago in February. Here’s how we’re making the most of the month.

Making dinner reservations around Feb. 14 can be competitive. Plan a unique date instead to a board game cafe like 

 are fun and all, but take inspiration from these locals who 

Lunar New Year celebrations are underway between 

. But we’re perhaps most excited about parades on 

The monthlong commemoration has roots on the South Side. Now, Chicagoans can seek out the new 

If you love the 1993 Bill Murray movie filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, head to the northwestern town for 

 this weekend. Events include a musical adaptation of the film, walking tours, groundhog trivia, and a themed 5K. 

 is also hosting its second annual celebration Sunday.

A production of “A Raisin in the Sun?” A play about the 

 that inspired the lottery? Choose from more than 100 performances for as low as $15 during the 

Watch the Super Bowl with other bitter Bears fans at the 

 at Soldier Field on Feb. 9. Rooting for the Birds? Head to 

 in Roscoe Village. Part of Chiefs Kingdom? Watch the game from 

 in Wrigleyville. Now is the time to get your ticket for 

Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s Chicago concert

 before prices increase after the halftime show.

Craving spring? So is everyone else in Chicago. Book your reservations ASAP for the 

Lincoln Park conservatories’ flower shows

 opening Feb. 12. The team shared tips last spring for how 

Between Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year, and Black History Month, there’s lots to love about Chicago in February.

Your Guide to Chicago in February 2025

As City Cast Chicago gears up to publish our 1,000th episode, we're asking listeners and readers to help us create a list of 1,000 things we love about Chicago. 

That could be everything from cherry blossoms in Jackson Park to 4 a.m. bars to the Bucket Boys to Chicago sports fans always reliving the glory days. 

You can submit as many times as you like. We'll publish the list in early March.

Help us make a list of 1,000 things we love about our city.

Tell Us What You Love About Chicago

What Do You LOVE About Chicago?

What will the first month of 2025 bring? We don't know yet. But we are going to quiz you on what's happened in Chicago Januarys past.

What will the first month of 2025 bring? We don't know yet. So let's take a January-themed history quiz about Chicago.

Take This History Quiz About January in Chicago

How Well Do You Know Chicago's January History?

Statewide voting starts soon with 10 finalists, the current flag, and two vintage flags in the running. Read more about the 

Hey Chicago wants to know: Which one is your favorite?

Pick from 10 finalists, the current flag, and two vintage flags in our poll. 

Vote on Illinois' New State Flag!

What Should Illinois' New Flag Be?

As Native American Heritage Month wraps up, we’re sharing a special trivia quiz to see how well you know 

Correction: The Gichigamiin Indigenous Nations Museum is the new name of the former Mitchell Museum of the American Indian. 

As Native American Heritage Month wraps up, we’re sharing a special trivia quiz to see how well you know local indigenous history.

history

Who’s Preserving Chicago Family History?

Happy Birthday, Chicago!

What's the Scariest Thing in Chicago?

Latest articles

Who’s Preserving Chicago Family History?

Happy Birthday, Chicago!

What's the Scariest Thing in Chicago?

Why You Can Thank Chicago for Labor Day

How Well Do YOU Know Chicago?

Your Guide to Chicago in February 2025

What Do You LOVE About Chicago?

Latest articles

Why You Can Thank Chicago for Labor Day

How Well Do YOU Know Chicago?

Your Guide to Chicago in February 2025

What Do You LOVE About Chicago?

How Well Do You Know Chicago's January History?

What Should Illinois' New Flag Be?

How Well Do You Know Chicago's Native American History?