Chicago

Historical eventMarch 41837

Chicago

Chicago was incorporated as a city.

Everything on March 4Original source

In context

When
Saturday, March 4 1837189 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
19th century · 1830s
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

Russia, Greece and some other countries used the Julian calendar into the early 20th century, so local records may show a date up to 13 days earlier.

At a glance

Dates: From 1837.

What happened

Chicago is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the third-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.74 million at the 2020 census. The Chicago metropolitan area has approximately 9.62 million residents according to the 2020 census and is the third-largest metropolitan area in the country. Chicago is the county seat of Cook County, the second-most populous county in the U.S.

March 4 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 1837Chicago
  2. 20012001 BBC bombing
  3. 2002War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
  4. 2007Death of Charlotte Shaw
  5. 2009International Criminal Court
  6. 2009Omar al-Bashir
  7. 2012Brazzaville arms dump blasts
  8. 20152015 Zasyadko mine disaster
  9. 2017The Buddha
  10. 2018MI6
  11. 2020Nik Wallenda

Also in 1837

  • December 7William Lyon MackenzieBritish troops swiftly defeated rebels led by William Lyon Mackenzie and Anthony Van Egmond at the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern, the onl…
  • July 4Grand Junction RailwayThe Grand Junction Railway, the world's first long-distance railway with steam traction, opened between Birmingham and Newton Junction.
  • August 16DaagaDaaga and two other African soldiers in the British Army's 1st West India Regiment were executed for their role in the St. Joseph Mutiny…
  • April 241837 Surat fireA fire broke out in Surat, India, which went on to destroy about 75% of the city.
  • November 7Abolitionism in the United StatesAmerican abolitionist Elijah Parish Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob in Alton, Illinois, during an attack to destroy his printin…
  • February 8Richard Mentor JohnsonRichard Mentor Johnson became the only person ever to be elected Vice President of the United States by the Senate.
  • June 20Queen VictoriaQueen Victoria (pictured) acceded to the British throne, beginning a 63-year reign.
  • June 11YankeeTensions between Yankees and Irish Americans in Boston, Massachusetts, erupted in the Broad Street Riot.

Everything we record for 1837 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Chicago”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/chicago-1837-march-4, accessed October 28, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Chicago happen?

March 4 1837 — 189 years ago, on a Saturday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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