While we often think of famous people when we think of historymakers, you and your family also have important stories to share! Historians study the history of ordinary people to understand how our city and nation have changed over time. The traditions you practice, the places you live, the work your family members do, and More
Flags tell stories! The Chicago flag is full of symbolic meaning: the stars represent important events in the city’s history, the blues stripes stand for waterways, and the white stripes for where people live. Flags aren’t just for cities or countries. Some schools, such as universities and their sports teams, also have flags. In the More
The Chicago flag is well-known for its design with the iconic four red stars, which represent Fort Dearborn, the Great Chicago Fire, the 1893 world’s fair, and the 1933 world’s fair. Since many things have happened in Chicago since 1933, some people have championed the idea to add a fifth star to the flag. In More
Chicago has played a starring role in many movies, plays, books, poems, and songs. Inspiring writers for many years, our city is the backbone of their creativity. Their works help us understand different places and times in the city’s history. Continuing our exploration of the white stripes on the Chicago flag, which represent the North, More
Chicago is known as a city of neighborhoods. It has 77 official community areas and each one is home to multiple neighborhoods. Across the city, these neighborhoods have unique qualities that make them special places to live and work. Today’s activity continues our exploration of the white stripes on Chicago’s flag, which stand for the More
The white stripes on the Chicago flag stand for the places we live: the North, South, and West Sides of the city. Chicago is world-famous for its skyscrapers, beautiful parks, public art, and sports venues, but the city’s neighborhoods are also home to some distinctive architecture and special places that keep community bonds strong. Today’s More
Chicago grew and prospered largely because of its waterways, the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. Both of them provided water, food, transportation, and fun for area residents. These waterways are represented on the city’s flag by two blue stripes. In today’s activity, discover how the Chicago River has changed over time. Then have fun creating More
Before the internet, world’s fairs were a time when people from all over the world could come to one place to see new inventions and learn about science, history, and other cultures. Chicago has hosted two of them, which are represented by the third and fourth stars on the city’s flag. World’s fairs were also More
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was a formative event in Chicago’s history and is represented by the second star on the city’s flag. Today, we’ll be looking at artifacts that melted in the fire and inquiring about what they may have been. Diorama of the Chicago Fire at the Chicago History Museum. CHM, ICHi-066795 Who More
As non-native people moved to Chicago—or Checagou, as the native people of the area called it—they had to decide what to bring with them. In today’s activity, kids will reflect on, write about, and draw what they would bring if they moved to a new place. What makes an object precious? Is it useful or More