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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260328T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260328T150000
DTSTAMP:20260412T003408
CREATED:20260212T185721Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260317T162413Z
UID:10000572-1774695600-1774710000@www.chicagohistory.org
SUMMARY:Commemorative Day | Women’s History Month
DESCRIPTION:As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence this year\, we at the Chicago History Museum are centering civic action and what it takes to build and maintain democracy all year long. There are many ways we all fight for a better world\, including using the arts to make statements and fight for change. \nMarch is Women’s History Month. This year at CHM\, we’re taking this time to think more critically about the history of women making change through the arts. Join us for a day of hands-on arts-making celebrating women in history and in our own lives. Then join us in the afternoon for a dual performance of two fabulous Chicago singers\, Amy Lowe and Shawn Christopher\, as they sing us all into action! \nIncluded with general admission. \nSchedule\n11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. \nButton Making for Social Change \nCreate your own buttons to honor Women’s History Month and wear them proudly inside and outside the museum. Draw images of important people and moments in women’s history or show your support for a cause that matters to you today! Great for all ages! \nDesigning for Protest: Make Your Own Protest Sign \nChicago has a long history of protest and civic action. Figures like Ida B. Wells\, Jane Addams\, Lucy Parsons\, and Pearl Hart all engaged in civic action both in public and behind the scenes. \nShow your support for the history of women’s activism by making your own protest sign. See some examples of feminist artivism (activism + art) in our exhibition Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s and then come design your own protest art to let others know what matters to you! \n12:00–1:00 p.m. \nHands-On Relief Printing Workshop with Vida Sačić \nDesign your own simple typographic compositions using foam and cardboard backing\, then experiment with hand-printing techniques to produce your own prints. Learn about foundational ideas in typography and relief printmaking in an accessible and tactile way to create and print your own message. \nThis workshop is led by artist Vida Sačić\, whose current work is featured in the US at 250: Civic Action in Chicago art installation in our main lobby. \nThis workshop is designed with youth and adults alike in mind. Participants of all ages are encouraged to join. \n1:00–3:00 p.m. \nMusic Making Change: Amy Lowe and Shawn Christopher \nCelebrate women making change through the arts with back-to-back performances by two amazing musical performers\, Amy Lowe and Shawn Christopher. A fun time for people of all ages!
URL:https://www.chicagohistory.org/event/commemorative-day-womens-history-month-2026/
LOCATION:Chicago History Museum\, 1601 N. Clark St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60614\, United States
CATEGORIES:Commemorative Day
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260228T150000
DTSTAMP:20260412T003408
CREATED:20251114T034237Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T025346Z
UID:10000539-1772276400-1772290800@www.chicagohistory.org
SUMMARY:Commemorative Day | Black History Month
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Black History Month in the city where it started! As we look forward to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence\, we lift up the history of African Americans who have had a vital hand in forming this nation. \nIncluded with admission. \nSchedule\n11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. \nButton Making for Social Change \nCreate your own buttons to celebrate Black History Month and wear them proudly inside and outside the museum! Draw images of important people and moments in African American history or show your support for a cause that matters to you today! \nDesigning for Protest: Make Your Own Protest Sign \nChicago has a long history of protest and civic action. We also have a powerful history of activism for and by the city’s Black community. Ida B. Wells fought for African American representation in the suffragist movement. Dr. Martin Luther King\, Jr.\, and his colleagues fought against housing discrimination. And this activism continues today to fight injustice in all corners of the city. Come create your own protest sign to let those around you know what matters to you! \n1:00–2:00 p.m. – Musical Performance: Zion Ali \nMusic has long served as a vehicle for social change. Join us with a performance by young Chicago singer Zion Ali as he delivers an uplifting and high-energy performance that blends powerful vocals\, storytelling\, and audience engagement centered around youth empowerment\, perseverance\, and community. The performance will be followed by a Q&A session where audience members can learn more about Ali and his use of music to connect with community.
URL:https://www.chicagohistory.org/event/commemorative-day-black-history-month-2026/
LOCATION:Chicago History Museum\, 1601 N. Clark St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60614\, United States
CATEGORIES:Commemorative Day
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260216T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260216T150000
DTSTAMP:20260412T003408
CREATED:20251114T033953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260128T215102Z
UID:10000538-1771239600-1771254000@www.chicagohistory.org
SUMMARY:Commemorative Day | Presidents’ Day
DESCRIPTION:In 2026\, the Chicago History Museum is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence by asking questions about our nation’s democracy in progress. All of our commemorative days will center questions of civic engagement and democracy in action. \nThis Presidents’ Day\, we’re focusing on how you can become a more engaged community member. Through a variety of interactive activities\, learn new ways to create a stronger community and engage one another through conversation and action to promote positive social change. Be sure to check out our US at 250 installations in the lobby! \nIncluded with admission\, which is FREE for Illinois residents on this day. \nSchedule\n11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. \nThe Art of Leadership\nCampaign buttons and signs have a long history of successfully—and sometimes unsuccessfully—promoting political campaigns. Make your own campaign buttons and signs and show your friends and family why you would make a great leader! \nWriting for Change: Letters to the President\nCalling and writing to your elected officials is an important way to make your voice heard. Whether you want to see change or to celebrate successes\, politicians need to hear from their constituents like you! Join other CHM visitors and write a letter to President Donald J. Trump. Afterward\, all letters will be mailed to the White House. \nCommunity Response Activity: “If I Were President . . .”\nIf you were president\, what would you do for the nation’s people? What policies would you implement to make life better for everyone? What sorts of actions help us all achieve “a more perfect union”? For this activity\, you’ll respond to these questions and more on a public whiteboard for others to read\, support\, and find inspiration. Share your ideas with others about how we can achieve “Life\, Liberty\, and the pursuit of Happiness” for all! \n1:00–2:00 p.m. \nInteractive Workshop: “What Matters Most to You? Unlocking Your Civic Journey”\nLed by the Institute for Policy and Civic Engagement (IPCE) at the University of Illinois Chicago\, this workshop is a unique opportunity to learn more about civic engagement\, find your civic voice\, and understand the impact individuals have in shaping their futures and our communities. Through small group conversations and a civic engagement activity\, learn why civic learning and democratic education are important and how they can lead to civic action.
URL:https://www.chicagohistory.org/event/commemorative-day-presidents-day-2026/
LOCATION:Chicago History Museum\, 1601 N. Clark St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60614\, United States
CATEGORIES:Commemorative Day
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260119T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260119T160000
DTSTAMP:20260412T003408
CREATED:20251114T033822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260114T215055Z
UID:10000537-1768816800-1768838400@www.chicagohistory.org
SUMMARY:Commemorative Day | Martin Luther King Jr. Day
DESCRIPTION:At this family-focused celebration of Dr. King’s ongoing influence on the fight for civil rights\, enjoy hands-on activities and learn how to become more civically engaged in your community. \nIncluded with admission\, which is FREE for Illinois residents on this day. \nSchedule\n11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Freedom Song Sing-Along with Lenny Marsh and Friends \nLenny Marsh and Friends return to CHM to lead us through a musical performance of songs inspired by the Civil Rights Movement. Come sing and dance along with the band and have your voices heard! \n11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Button Making for Justice \nJoin us to create your own buttons to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and the continuing push for a more just and equitable society. Wear your button with pride as you explore our exhibitions and other programming throughout the day! \n11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Make-n-Take Arts: Printmaking with Purpose with Jomo Cheatham \nChicago-based artists like Dr. Margaret Burroughs and Carlos Cortez have used various types of printmaking to create socially conscious and culturally meaningful pieces of art that speak to the needs and histories of many different groups of people. \nJoin teaching artist and practitioner Jomo Cheatham as he leads you through making your own prints. Using a variety of simple tools\, design your own image\, and Jomo will transfer it onto cardstock. Once the ink has dried\, you can take your creation home and make more prints on your own! \n12:00–1:00 p.m. – Public Talk – Dr. Elizabeth Todd-Breland \nHear from Dr. Elizabeth Todd-Breland of the University of Illinois Chicago\, whose research and teaching focuses on 20th-century US urban and social history\, African American history\, and the history of education. Her work also explores interdisciplinary issues related to racial and economic inequality\, public policy\, neighborhood transformation\, education policy\, and civic engagement. \n12:00–2:00 p.m. – Poems While You Wait \nFounded in 2011 by Dave Landsberger\, Kathleen Rooney\, and Eric Plattner\, Poems While You Wait is a collective of poets and their manual typewriters whose mission is to appear around the city in public places to provide patrons with a magical\, unexpected\, unpretentious\, and decontextualized encounter with poetry. Visitors provide the poets with a subject and will receive their own unique hand-typed poem in minutes! No requested topic is too big or too small\, too funny or too sad\, too silly or too serious. \n1:00–2:30 p.m. – Lawndale King Staged Reading \nCollaboraction Theatre will present a free staged reading of Lawndale King\, Willie Round’s powerful new play about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s time living in Chicago’s North Lawndale community. Legendary Chicago director and filmmaker Pemon Rami will direct the reading and join Round for a post-show discussion. \nLawndale King revives the chapter in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life in 1966 when he moved his family to live in an apartment in North Lawndale on Chicago’s West Side. Gripping scenes and vivid community voices tell the intertwined stories of activists\, families\, slumlords\, gangs\, pastors and neighborhood youth\, revealing the tension\, hope\, and courage that defined one of King’s most dangerous missions – joining the Chicago Freedom Movement to fight discriminatory housing practices. Intimate and sweeping\, Lawndale King showcases Chicago’s West Side as a battleground for justice\, capturing the humanity\, humor\, fear\, and resilience of a community standing at the crossroads of change. \n2:30–3:00 p.m. – Lawndale King Panel Discussion
URL:https://www.chicagohistory.org/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day-2026/
LOCATION:Chicago History Museum\, 1601 N. Clark St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60614\, United States
CATEGORIES:Commemorative Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250322T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250322T150000
DTSTAMP:20260412T003408
CREATED:20250227T172147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250304T192916Z
UID:10000352-1742641200-1742655600@www.chicagohistory.org
SUMMARY:Commemorative Day | Women’s History Month
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Women’s History Month at the Chicago History Museum by honoring women in the arts. The day includes family-friendly arts activities highlighting women in history\, musical performances by local women singers\, interpreter-led gallery tours\, and more!  \nIncluded with general admission.   \nSchedule\n11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. – Arts & Crafts for Social Change  \nArts and crafts can serve as an important vehicle for self-expression and to promote social change. Join us for this family-friendly activity including activities for young folks from early childhood on up!   \n1:00–2:00 p.m. – Musical Performance by Amy Lowe   \nVocalist and musician Amy Lowe brings a collection of songs written by some of the most powerful and influential singers and songwriters of our time\, such as Joni Mitchell\, Nina Simone\, Bette Midler\, Deitra Farr\, Mercedes Sosa as well as some of her own original compositions. \n2:00–3:00 p.m. – HERstory Musical Performance   \nChicago cabaret artists Anita Kallen and Catherine Thomson salute the gutsy gals who boldly defied society’s conventions—going where no woman had gone before—and achieved groundbreaking female “Firsts” with their HERstory Musical Show!   \nWith songs by Harold Arlen\, Stephen Schwartz\, Dolly Parton\, Tom Lehrer\, Kander & Ebb\, and Sara Bareilles\, among others\, Anita and Catherine share inspiring stories of amazing women and their trailblazing triumphs. 
URL:https://www.chicagohistory.org/event/commemorative-day-womens-history-month-2025/
LOCATION:Chicago History Museum\, 1601 N. Clark St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60614\, United States
CATEGORIES:Commemorative Day
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250222T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250222T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T003408
CREATED:20241118T201754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250218T150037Z
UID:10000308-1740218400-1740232800@www.chicagohistory.org
SUMMARY:Commemorative Day | Black History Month
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Black History Month at CHM as we look at the ways art has been a vehicle for social change in Chicago’s African American community. Enjoy hands-on arts activities\, music\, and speakers. \nSchedule\n10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. – Printmaking with Purpose with teaching artist Jomo Cheatham \n10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. – Arts and Crafts for Social Change \n12:00–1:00 p.m. – Public Talk | “Final Judgement: The Case of Emmett Till” by Dr. Christopher Benson \nLEARN MOREHear from Dr. Christopher Benson as he discusses details from his book A Few Days Full of Trouble: Revelations on the Journey to Justice for My Cousin and Best Friend\, Emmett Till\, coauthored with Reverend Wheeler Parker Jr. Get an insider’s view of the coauthors’ four-year “ride-along” with the FBI as it closed out the investigation into this 1955 lynching. The murder of 14-year-old Emmett Till sparked the modern Civil Rights Movement\, yet so much has been concealed over the years. The case concerned so much more than racial violence\, it was about power and how the criminal justice system bent under the pressure of a corrupt system. \n1:30–2:30 p.m. – Film Screening | The Murder of Emmett Till (2023) \nLEARN MOREIn August 1955\, a 14-year-old Black boy allegedly flirted with a white woman in a grocery store in Money\, Mississippi. Emmett Till\, a teen from Chicago\, didn’t understand that he had broken the unwritten laws of the Jim Crow South until three days later\, when two white men dragged him from his bed in the dead of night\, beat him brutally and then shot him in the head. Although his killers were arrested and charged with murder\, they were both acquitted quickly by an all-white\, all-male jury. Shortly afterwards\, the defendants sold their story\, including their tale of how they murdered Till\, to a journalist. The murder and the trial horrified the nation and the world. Till’s death was a spark that helped mobilize the civil rights movement. Three months after his body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River\, the Montgomery bus boycott began.
URL:https://www.chicagohistory.org/event/commemorative-day-black-history-month/
LOCATION:Chicago History Museum\, 1601 N. Clark St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60614\, United States
CATEGORIES:Commemorative Day
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20250217T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20250217T140000
DTSTAMP:20260412T003408
CREATED:20241119T202507Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250205T193318Z
UID:10000307-1739786400-1739800800@www.chicagohistory.org
SUMMARY:Commemorative Day | Presidents’ Day
DESCRIPTION:This Presidents’ Day\, get more civically engaged through family-friendly activities! Write a letter to the new President of the United States to tell them what matters to you. Participate in arts-based activities and create a piece that reflects your social and political interests! \nIncluded with general admission\, which is FREE for IL residents on this day. \nSchedule\n10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. \nLetters to the President \nWrite a letter to President Donald J. Trump to let him know how you think he’s doing as president and what you would like to see him do in the future. If there are actions he’s taking that you support\, let him know that! If there are things in which you’d like to see him take a different approach\, this is a great way to have your voice heard\, too. All letters can either be taken home or left with CHM staff to be mailed out together to the White House. Appropriate for all ages\, especially 13+ \nMake-and-Take Campaign Signs and Buttons \nArt is a great way to strengthen one’s campaign efforts. Come make your own campaign signs and buttons as if you were running for the Office of the President of the United States of America! Design them in ways that reflect your values\, aesthetics\, and major topics of interest. Take them home as a souvenir or maybe even start your own future political campaign! Appropriate for all ages preschool and up. \nCommunity Response Activity – “If I Were President . . .” \nLeave a public message to other visitors about what sorts of issues you would focus on if you were president. What do you think is important to address as a nation today? How would you go about supporting our local\, national\, and international communities through presidential action? Appropriate for all ages\, especially 13+ \nWe’ll also have special gallery tours of our exhibitions throughout the day and IDEA stations to engage Chicago’s history in hands-on\, interactive ways!
URL:https://www.chicagohistory.org/event/commemorative-day-presidents-day/
LOCATION:Chicago History Museum\, 1601 N. Clark St.\, Chicago\, IL\, 60614\, United States
CATEGORIES:Commemorative Day
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