The first ferris wheel made its debut in Chicago in 1893 at the World's Columbian Exposition.

The nickname Windy City was given to Chicago by New York Sun editor Charles Dana in 1893. He was tired of hearing long-winded politicians boasting about the wonders of the World's Columbian Exposition held in Chicago.

The Chicago Cubs stadium Wrigley Field has hosted more professional football games than any other stadium in the nation.

The world’s longest street is Chicago’s Western Avenue.

The term “jazz” was coined in Chicago in 1914. The city’s native musicians included band leader Benny Goodman and drummer Gene Krupa.

GIRL POWER! Chicago's own Jane Addams, founder of the Hull House, was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize for Peace (1931). The Hull House opened in 1889 to aid Chicago immigrants.