1851
IL State Legislature passes the 1851 Chicago Consolation Act
1855
April 21 - Lager Beer Riot
1857
March 3 - John Wentworth elected mayor
April 20 - Mayor John Wentworth personally leads a raid on the vice district known as "The Sands"
1863
February 13 - Chicago city charter is revised, giving more authority to the municipality
1867
March - Chicago city council establishes its first official Board of Health
1871
October 8-9 - The Great Chicago Fire rages through parts of the city
1874
July 24 - The Citizen's Association, first Urban Reform group, is founded
1884
June 3 - Republican National Convention meets in Chicago
July 8 - Democratic National Convention meets in Chicago
1886
May 4 - Haymarket Square Riot
June 19-August 20 - Trial for those accused from the Haymarket Square Riot
1888
October 16 - Ex-mayor John Wentworth dies
1893
June 26 - Gov. John Peter Altgeld pardons the three remaining men convicted from the Haymarket Square Riot
October 28 - Mayor Carter Harrison I is shot to death
1894
January 31 - Incorporation of the Civic Federation
May 11 - The 1894 Pullman Strike begins
1896
July 7 - Democratic National Convention meets in Chicago
1897
October 19 - George Pullman dies
