Triathlon Week with Honorary Chicago
Linda Zabors
Join us for special tours around Chicago during the Triathlon and other special events
Read MoreBlog
Bud Billiken Parade
Linda Zabors
by Bria - Honorary Chicago intern 2016
BUD BILLIKEN’S 87th ANNUAL PARADE!!
August 13,2016 is the Saturday that you have to come out for! This is something absolutely worth seeing. I feel as though this particular parade is children based. It’s all about displaying why school is so vital to the youth. For 87 years the Bud Billiken Parade has brought the community together to uphold all types of things that are positively beneficial for the children. Being in one of the parades because I academically excelled in grammar school made me realize that events like this helps remind children that what they do in school does not go unnoticed. It is very entertaining. You see kids of all ages doing something that they worked very hard on. From choreographed dances to other things such drill teams, you won’t be upset that you attended.
This years theme for the parade is “Uniting the Community Through Education for 87 years” and the grand marshall is Katherine Y. Branch!
There is a new start time for the 2016 parade. It starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. Not an early person? Don’t sweat it! The Bud Billiken Parade is also televised! You can watch the whole parade in the comfort of your own bed with just a click of a button. Tune in to channel 7 (ABC 7 Chicago), Saturday morning and watch everything unfold.
History of the Bud Billiken Parade
The Chicago Defender is basically how this all started. It was founded by Robert Sengstacke Abbott on May 5, 1905. The point behind the Chicago Defender was to bring light to African American issues. In the year of 1921 the Chicago Defender Jr was produced. This was a section for children! The editor was a young man that goes by the name of Robert Watkins. He was known as Bud Billiken. This section also included an application to Bud Billiken Club. It was named after the Billiken, which is the guardian angel to children according to a chinese legend. In the year of 1929 that is when the parade was born. The main reason for including a parade was to give underprivileged youth to be in the spotlight for once. Let them know that they are important as well. From then on it has flourished into something huge!
Daniel Capuano
Linda Zabors
Daniel Capuano was a fireman who died in the line of duty.
Read MoreStaff pick at Barnes & Noble
Linda Zabors
Honorary Chicago Guidebook featured this week at Barnes & Noble on State and Elm.
Pick up your copy and go sign hunting this summer!
Barnes & Noble at State and Elm
5 Ways to observe Memorial Day in Chicago
Linda Zabors
In 1868 General John A. Logan, Senator for Illinois, issued an order which established Memorial Day as a day of remembrance for the soldiers lost in the American Civil War. In recent years it has come to include the lives lost in wars and armed conflicts everywhere.
Annual Memorial Day observance at the General John A. Logan statue in Grant Park
Photo: www.HonoraryChicago.com
On Memorial Day each year the Chicago Cultural Mile Association hosts a wreath laying ceremony at the Logan equestrian statue in Grant Park near 9th Street in recognition of General John A. Logan's order which initiated the Memorial Day observance which later became a national holiday.
Join Honorary Chicago for a short tour before the ceremony.
Wellington-Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society,
Memorial Day Parade
Photo: www.HonoraryChicago.com
The WOOGMS parade has been a tradition in the Lakeview neighborhood for more than 50 years. The motto is "Everyone marches, no one just marches." Join the Lakeview neighbors and the Jesse White Tumblers and Drum Corp on this and every Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial on the Chicago Riverwalk
If you have not yet experienced the new riverwalk which follows the south bank of the Chicago river along Wacker Drive, Memorial Day is a fitting time to take in the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial which is on the riverwalk just east of State Street.
City of Chicago Memorial Day Parade
The largest Memorial Day observance in the City is held on the Saturday before Memorial Day. It starts as a wreath laying ceremony at Daley Plaza which leads into a parade down State Street.
Photo: CC BY-SA 3.0
Visit a Cemetery on Memorial Day
In the spirit of the original observance most Cemeteries remain open on Memorial Day.
Here are a two in the Chicago area that have notable Civil War burials.
Rosehill Cemetery is the final resting place of fourteen Union Army Generals and hundreds of soldiers from the Civil War. Part of the administration building houses a Civil War museum.
Oakwoods Cemetery is the location of monument and burial site of thousands of Confederate soldiers who were prisoners of war at Camp Douglas.
More from Honorary Chicago - the who, where, and why of Chicago's brown honorary street signs. Join us for a tour. Get the book.
John A. Logan, founder of Memorial Day
Linda Zabors
John A. Logan equestrian statue in Grant Park, Chicago
John Logan was a Major General in the American Civil War and served under General Ulysses S. Grant, for whom Chicago's Grant Park is named. After the war he served as Senator of Illinois in the US Congress. He and his fellow veterans in Congress established Memorial Day as a Federal holiday to remember the soldiers who died during the war.
After the end of the Civil War several streets and towns in the United States were named in his honor including: Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood and Logan Boulevard.
More about General John Logan
His nickname was "Black Jack Logan" and he was not an abolitionist early in his political career. However, when announced in 1861 that he would join the Union Army under President Abraham Lincoln, whom he had originally opposed, Logan's declaration helped secure Illinois as a free state. After the war he returned to his seat in the US Congress and became well known for supporting the rights of former slaves and of women, and for establishing services for veterans of the Civil War and their families.
He had been a Vice Presidential candidate but his campaign ticket lost to President Grover Cleveland in the 1884 election. John Logan aspired to the US Presidency and was in line for candidacy, but he did not live to see the next election cycle.
The Logan Museum is located in Murphysboro, Illinois where John Logan was born.
More about Memorial Day
On May 3, 1868 Logan's General Order 11 established May 30, 1868 as the first observance This was three year after the end of the Civil War. In later years it came to represent soldiers lost in all wars and armed conflicts.
General John Logan's order suggested that it be a day where people would decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers with flowers. It was originally known as Decoration Day.
Memorial Day and the red poppy
Photo by Milous/iStock / Getty Images
The red poppy came to be associated with Memorial Day. It symbolized the sacrifice and blood spilled on the battlefield. Observers might wear the red poppy on Memorial Day or use it to decorate the graves of soldiers. In 1922 the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization began using the red poppy to raise awareness and to solicit financial support. The tradition of the red poppy spread. In the US and in parts of Europe the red poppy became associated with fundraising for causes related to fallen soldiers, their families, and the orphans of war. To this day some organizations give red poppies as tokens of appreciation for charitable donations.
Memorial Day observances in Chicago
The original order also noted that citizens are free to create their own methods of remembrance and memorial.
Feature post: 5 Ways to Observe Memorial Day in Chicago
The Chicago Cultural Mile Association host a wreath laying ceremony at the John A. Logan statue in Grant Park near 9th Street every year on Memorial Day.
Honorary Chicago gives tours of Logan Square and the Cultural Mile to commemorate Memorial Day.
Logan Square Tour
Linda Zabors
On Sundays during the summer this tour will depart from the Logan Square farmer's market
On other days it will depart from the Illinois Centennial Monument at Logan Square
Who is John Logan?
Who is Dr Ramon Garcia-Camilo?
What is the Hot Mix 5?
About the Logan Square neighborhood
Honorary Chicago tour flag
Andersonville Tour
Linda Zabors
Who is Kurt Mathiason?
What is Women & Children First?
About the Andersonville neighborhood
Millennium Park Tour
Linda Zabors
Millennium Park from the Northeast corner looking south with a view of Maggie Daley Park, Buckingham Fountain, the Modern Wing of the Art Institute, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Shedd Aquarium.
Who is Maggie Daley?
Who is John Bryan?
Who is George Halas?
What is Holabird?
About this neighborhood
Wacker Drive upper Riverwalk Tour
Linda Zabors
Even when the river isn't green you can still enjoy our tour.
Who is Carol Fox?
Who is Ira Bach?
Who is Wacker?
Cultural Mile Tour
Linda Zabors
The Chicago Cultural Mile is the section of Michigan Avenue from the Chicago River on the north to Roosevelt Road on the south. The Cultural Mile is filled with great Chicago institutions such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Orchestra Hall, The Art Institute of Chicago, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, Grant Park, The Spertus Museum, The Auditorium Theater, the Fine Arts Building and many others.
The Second Friday of each month the Chicago Cultural Mile tour will depart the Fine Arts Building.
The Memorial Day tour will depart from the Logan Memorial in Grant Park.
The north end of the Chicago Cultural Mile
Who is Lawrence Pucci?
Who is Mike Alexandroff?
Who is Swami Vivekananda?
Trademark of the Chicago Cultural Mile Association
Check out the other events taking place on the Chicago Cultural Mile on the Second Friday of each month
Millennium Park Garages discounts for Second Fridays
This tour may include all or part of the Millennium Park tour
About the South Michigan Avenue neighborhood
Past Events
Friday, August 12th 6pm will be a special free edition of the Cultural Mile tour which marks the end of our summer internship season. The tour coincides with the 2nd Friday open studio event at the Fine Arts Building and the 20th annual Summerdance across the street in the park. The tour will last approximately one hour, cover less than a mile of walking, and take place outdoors and indoors depending on the weather. This event is hosted with the Chicago Streets and Beyond Photography Group.
Honorary Chicago Tour calendar
Linda Zabors
Honorary Chicago Walking Tours
May 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
Sunday, May 8 - Mother's Day tours of North and South Michigan Avenue
Friday, May 13 - Cultural Mile tour (cancelled due to rain) This tour is next offered on Memorial Day (see below).
Saturday, May 14 - State Street tour. This is a special author led tour for the Chicago History Museum - Chicago24 event
Register here
Saturday, May 22 - North Michigan Avenue tour
Sunday, May 29 - Logan Square tour
Monday, May 30 - Memorial Day tour of Cultural Mile from Logan Memorial. This is a special Author led Tour.
June 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
Honorary Chicago Guidebook - pocket size
Take home the Book!
July 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
August 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
September 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
October 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
November 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
December 2016 - Honorary Chicago Tours
Magnificent Mile Tour
Linda Zabors
This Magnificent Mile tour departs from the historic water tower on Michigan Avenue
Who is Eppie Landers?
Who is Jack Brickhouse?
Who is Jerrold Wexler?
Who is George Sikokis?
Who is Mike Ditka?
State Street Tour
Linda Zabors
State Street looking north from Randolph Street
A special edition of the Honorary Chicago State Street tour will be featured by The Chicago History Museum - Chicago24 event on May 14. Buy tickets on the History Museum website. @ChicagoMuseum #ChicaGO24. This tour will begin at the Howard Washington Library Center.
Who is Eugene Heytow?
Who is Edward Brennan?
Who is Raoul Wallenberg?
About the Loop neighborhood
Mother's Day on Michigan Avenue
Linda Zabors
Ready for Michigan Avenue this Mother's Day? We are.
Honorary Chicago is offering tours of Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and 18th Street. Just look for the Honorary Chicago tour flag and join in.
Honorary Chicago tour flag refrigerator magnet
Participants receive a free Honorary Chicago tour flag refrigerator magnet.
Check out the wide selection of Honorary Chicago Hearts and Stripes Forever merchandise at L&A Studio 1620 S. Michigan Avenue and take home something mom will love.
Magnificent Mile
Cultural Mile
and South Loop
Honorary Richard Cotovsky Way
Linda Zabors
Richard Cotovsky was the founder and Artistic Director of the Mary-Arrchie Theater Company, established 1986, a Chicago storefront theater in the Uptown neighborhood.
Read MoreL&A Healing Studio Loves Chicago
Linda Zabors
We are happy to announce that L&A Healing Studio now carries Honorary Chicago Guidebooks and the Chicago's widest selection of Hearts & Stripes Forever merchandise.
Come for the yoga, massage, and events; stay for the beautiful selection of work by local artisans.
Don't miss their South Loop Coffee Fest!
Alexander Esteban
Linda Zabors
Alexander Esteban was three-year old who was killed by a drunk driver while walking with his 72-year old grandfather, who was also seriously injured.
Read MoreChicago Tribune article featuring Honorary Chicago
Linda Zabors
Pictured photo: Abel/Chicago Tribune Photographer
Passion for Chicago's Honorary Street Names Leads to a Guide Book
Read the Tribune article January 19, 2016. First page A&E.
It was such an honor to be interviewed by Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune reporter and author of Sidewalks with photographer Charles Osgood. As a fan of Chicago stories portrayed in words and light (and aluminum signs), I am delighted at the kindred spirits who collect and convey these tales of "Chicagoness". If you are among them - I invite you to join in and contact me at linda@honorarychicago.com
Walter L Sojka Way
Linda Zabors
Walter Sojka established and ran the Walter L. Sojka Funeral Home in the Eckhart Park neighborhood for more than 60 years.
Read More