George Pullman revolutionized long-distance rail travel in the 1860s with the invention of the Pullman Sleeping Car, a comfortable boxcar far superior to most accommodations of the time. The industrialist was also known for creating a workers’ community surrounding his factories just south of Chicago. The town of Pullman, Illinois grew to become internationally recognized for the level of offerings to its worker inhabitants. Gas and water hookups in each home, a large amount of green space and parks and other amenities distinguished Pullman from other company towns.

While the community was known on the outside to be clean and progressive, tension between workers and factory owners was often high. A dramatic decrease in worker pay and benefits led to a violent strike in 1894 that left several dead and hundreds of rail cars burned. The strike and corresponding lock out of union workers would lead to several prominent and influential moments in American union history, including the celebration of the first Labor Day in 1894 and the rise of the nation’s first African-American union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

After operations at the factories ceased in 1957, the neighborhood fell on hard times. With the area threatened with demolition in 1960, a group of residents advocated for its preservation and were successful in designating the area an Illinois Historic District in 1969 and a National Historic Landmark District in 1970. In February, President Obama designated the area a national monument, recognizing Illinois' history in the railroad industry and as a unique part of the birth of the labor rights movement in the United States.

Learn more:
Visiting the Pullman neighborhood? Click here for information on factory tours and tours of the famous Hotel Florence
Read more on the history of the Town of Pullman from the Chicago Historical Society

72 years ago today, Chicago’s first subway line opened to commuters. A product of President Roosevelt’s Public Works Administration program, the subway line featured modern escalators and soundproof telephone booths. The original State Street Subway line (now the Red Line) featured a 3,300 foot platform that contained many stations along the path.

Learn more:
Read more about Chicago’s State Street Subway

Actor Craig Robinson, best known for his role as Darryl Philbin on “The Office,” was born in Chicago on October 25, 1971. He was raised on the South Side of Chicago and attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School. After graduating, he went on to get his undergraduate degree from Illinois State University in 1994 and obtained his graduate degree in education from Saint Xavier University.

His stand-up career began at The Second City in Chicago, and in 2005, he took on the role of Darryl Philbin on “The Office.” Following this role, Robinson appeared on “Arrested Development,” “Lucky,” “Friends,” “Halfway Home,” “Eastbound and Down” and “Last Comic Standing.” In addition to acting, Robinson has dabbled in music, both as a comedy act in L. Witherspoon & Chucky and with his band The Nasty Delicious.

He has played a role in over 40 different films and television series since 2001, and has worked on multiple movies that are soon to be released. Robinson remains a fan of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bears.

Learn more:
Read more Robinson’s work on IMDb

Did you know today is National Dessert Day? In celebration of all things tasty, here is a bit of fun Illinois history.

Evanston, or as some locals would say, “Chicago's Godly neighbor, Heavenston," was home to the first Ice Cream Sundae. Originally known as the “Ice Cream Sunday,” the spelling was later changed to “Sundae” after residents complained about the dessert being named after the Sabbath.

Learn more:
Looking for places in Chicagoland to satisfy your dessert cravings?
Learn more about the Illinois connection to the origins of the Ice Cream Sundae

Stanley Mazor was born on October 22, 1941, in Chicago. Mazor started his studies with a keen interest for helicopter design and construction. He became interested in computers and took a position as a professor’s assistant.

In 1969, Mazor joined the newly formed Intel Corporation to invent the first microprocessor, the Intel 4004.

Microprocessors are the “brains” of computers and other household electronic devices. The original Intel 4004 wasn’t powerful, however. It was primarily used to complete simple mathematical operations in a calculator.

Just like microwaves and telephones, electronic devices with microprocessors have become a part of our everyday lives.  Over the last 40 years, microprocessors have evolved into smaller and more affordable devices that make our daily tasks easier.

Learn more:
Read more on the invention of the Microprocessor on PBS