Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Nov. 23, according to the Tribune’s archives.
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Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)
- High temperature: 69 degrees (1931)
- Low temperature: Minus 1 degree (1950)
- Precipitation: 1.55 inches (1983)
- Snowfall: 2 inches (1981)
1912: The Rouse Simmons, known as the “Christmas Tree Ship,” vanished in a storm on Lake Michigan during its trip from Michigan to Chicago. There were no survivors.
Many of the trees and evergreen wreaths that washed ashore were sold to benefit the families of the 17-member crew.
The wife of its Capt. Herman Schuenemann’s, affectionately called the “Christmas Tree Lady,” continued the family business, according to Tribune archives. She died in 1933. Her daughters carried on for a few more years, but by the end of the decade, the Christmas Tree Ship seemed to fade from the city’s landscape.
A diver found the well-preserved remains of the Rouse Simmons in 1971, resting in about 170-foot deep waters northeast of Two Rivers, Wisconsin.
1945: In her “Looking at Hollywood” column, Hedda Hopper said the Art Institute of Chicago was “having a heck of a time handling the crowds flocking to see (Chicago-area native Ivan Albright’s) painting of Dorian Gray on exhibition there.”
“Picture of Dorian Gray,” based on the Hollywood adaptation of the 1891 novel by Oscar Wilde, is on view in Gallery 263.
1975: Dueling movie critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert began their decadeslong TV partnership with the show “Opening Soon at a Theater Near You” on WTTW.
1986: Midway through the second quarter, Green Bay Packer nose tackle Charles Martin body-slammed Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon to the ground.
Referee Jerry Markbreit reacted quickly by ejecting Martin and penalized him 15 yards for roughing the passer.
McMahon was out for the rest of the season. Martin was suspended for two games without pay — the stiffest penalty assessed until then by NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle.
Michael Jordan: Top moments and stats in the life and career of the Chicago Bulls and NBA legend
1991: At the free-throw line, Michael Jordan smiled at Denver Nuggets rookie Dikembe Mutombo and told him the shot was for him. Jordan closed his eyes and sunk the free throw. The Chicago Bulls won 107-100.
2015: Michael Jordan reached a settlement with supermarkets Jewel-Osco and Dominick’s over a pair of ads in a 2009 commemorative edition of Sports Illustrated that allegedly contained unauthorized use of his name, according to spokespeople for both sides. Jordan donated the net proceeds of the multimillion-dollar settlement to 23 charities.
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