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Did You Know? The Modoc Rock Shelter houses 9,000-year-old artifacts

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Wednesday, September 23, 2015 04:25 PM

Did You Know? The Modoc Rock Shelter houses 9,000-year-old artifactsThe Modoc Rock Shelter, located near the Missouri border in Southern Illinois, is a cut-out section of cliff overlooking the Mississippi River valley. The cliff was formed by ice age floods that carved through the land thousands of years ago.

Archaeological discoveries by Irwin Peithmann in the 1950s found artifacts in the shelter that proved groups of people had been there as far back as 9,000 years ago. From Peithmann’s discoveries, it has been concluded that Native American hunters used the shelter as a safe area away from the elements. His excavations also have concluded different groups used the site as a long-term base camp around 6,000 years ago, and small hunting parties inhabited the area around 4,000 years ago. Hammer stones, bone awls and projectile points are just a few of the many discoveries found at the site.  

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1961.

Learn more:
Visiting the Modoc Rock Shelter? Learn more about the site and plan your trip here

Did You Know? Farm Aid’s inaugural concert was held in Illinois

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Tuesday, September 22, 2015 12:07 PM

Did You Know? Farm Aid’s inaugural concert was held in IllinoisThe first Farm Aid concert was held on this day in 1985 at Memorial Stadium in Champaign. The event, which attracted more than 80,000 people, was held to raise money for family farmers throughout the country who were struggling with drastically falling land prices and the rise of large corporate farms.

More than 100 musical acts performed at the event, including The Beach Boys, Bon Jovi, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson. Nelson, along with John Mellencamp and Neil Young, were key organizers of the first Farm Aid. More than $9 million was raised during the event.

Since 1985, Farm Aid concerts have been held across the country. The New World Music Theater (now Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre) in Tinley Park hosted Farm Aid ’97 and ’98 as well as the 20th anniversary concert in 2005.

Over the weekend, the 30th anniversary concert was held at FirstMerit Bank Pavilion in Chicago, drawing nearly 30,000 concertgoers and hosting Dave Matthews, Imagine Dragons, Willie Nelson and Chicagoan Mavis Staples. 

Learn more:
Read more about Farm Aid and the mission behind the concerts

Did You Know? Emmy award winning actor Bill Murray is from Illinois

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Monday, September 21, 2015 04:22 PM

Did You Know? Emmy award winning actor Bill Murray is from IllinoisFamous actor and comedian Bill Murray was born on this day in 1950 to Lucille and Edward Joseph Murray II. Murray was raised in Chicago’s northern suburbs and began his stand-up career at the infamous Second City comedy club after an invitation to attend by his older brother, Brian Murray.

Soon after he joined Second City, Murray was recruited to join “Saturday Night Live” by another famous Illinois comedian, John Belushi. Murray joined “Saturday Night Live” in its second year, making him one of the show’s earliest stars. He worked as a cast member for three seasons from 1977 until 1980.

Murray gained national attention in the 1980s by starring in multiple blockbuster hits, including “Ghostbusters” in 1984, earning him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Comedian or Musical. Murray won an Emmy Award last night for his role in the HBO mini-series “Olive Kitteridge.”

Learn more:
Read more about Bill Murray’s career on IMDb
Entertainment Weekly: Bill Murray wins Emmy for supporting actor in a limited series or movie

Did You Know? Illinois was home to the nation’s most influential settlement house

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Friday, September 18, 2015 04:20 PM

Did You Know? Illinois was home to the nation’s most influential settlement houseChicago’s Hull-House opened its doors on September 18, 1889, on Chicago’s Near West Side. The home was Chicago’s first settlement house, which served newly arrived immigrants through a variety of educational, social and health support services. At the time, settlement houses were popping up all over industrial cities with large immigrant populations, mainly in the Northeast and Midwest.

Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr, both from upper-middle-class backgrounds, opened Hull-House after the mansion’s owner, Charles Hull, donated his property to the women. By the early 1900s, Hull-House had expanded to include 13 buildings on two city blocks. Included in the complex were a gymnasium, theater, art gallery, boys’ club, nursery, kindergarten classes and dining and living quarters for staff members.

The work of Jane Addams and Ellen Gates Starr helped countless new citizens adjust to American culture and helped implement new laws protecting women and children and safeguards for workers.

Learn more:
Read more about the history of the Hull-House in Chicago
Visiting Hull-House? Read more about the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum

Did You Know? Illinois is home to America’s first planetarium

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Thursday, September 17, 2015 11:29 AM

Did You Know? Illinois is home to America’s first planetariumThe 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.

Learn more:
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

More Articles …

  1. Did You Know? Famous baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett is from Illinois
  2. Did You Know? Jazz legend Miles Davis grew up in Illinois
  3. Did You Know? The first televised political debate was filmed in Illinois
  4. Did You Know? Singer and actress Jennifer Hudson is from Illinois
  5. Did You Know? Don Cornelius was born in Illinois
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