Chicago and it's Gangsters

Al Capone is Americas probably best known gangster and is also the biggest symbol of the collapse of law and order during the 1920s. Capone was at the forefront of Chicago's illegal activities that led to its infamous reputation as a lawless city. Chicago became a magnet for young guns that wanted to make a name for themselves. Capone was actually born in Brooklyn New York in 1899 on the 17th of January and baptised Alphonsus Capone. The area he lived in was a rough area and as a kid he was involved with two gangs one were the Brooklyn Rippers and the second was The Forty Thieves Junior. Capone was considered a bright kid but he did quit school when he was in the sixth grade at the age of fourteen.

Capone worked scams for a few years before joining the notorious Five Points Gang in Manhattan. When working in the gang's famous dive the Harvard Inn as a bouncer it was here he received some facial scars that gave him his nickname Scarface.

The Great Chicago Fire

In 1871 Chicago had one of its hottest and driest summers on record this had left the ground parched and the wooden city was very vulnerable to fire. Records show that it was Sunday evening at nine o'clock that a fire broke out in a barn at 13 DeKoven Street. Its not known today for sure how the fire started but it is believed that the cows in the barn knocked over a lantern. The fire fighters that had been fighting a large fire most of the day before were exhausted. But they were sent to the wrong neighbourhood at first, once they arrived at the site of the barn the fire was totally out of control. The blaze quickly took hold of the wooden buildings around the barn and industrial and commercial buildings were soon all a blaze.

When the fires had died out a total of three hundred people had lost their lives and 100,000 were made homeless, much of the wooden city had been destroyed. It is estimated that the cost was $200 million. The people of Chicago soon re-grouped and went about building a new city by 1875 most of the city had been rebuilt.

Chicago and Politics

Chicago has always it seems been a political hot bed for all parties and historically played a large part in carving out the political history of the USA. Chicago was selected in 1860 as the Host City for the Republican Party as it was considered to be one of the key conservative states of the North. Chicago and Illinois were always traditional strong political machines. Franklin Roosevelt had voiced his support for Chicago, as a city he felt the Democratic Party machine would carry his nomination for president. On other occasions party leaders chose Chicago to demonstrate to the rest of the country that even Chicago the epitome of Middle America supported a controversial candidate.

Conventions in Chicago have nominated several of America's favourite sons such as Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses Grant, and Adlai Stevenson II.

Things to see and do when in Chicago

Its probably going to take you more than one visit to cover everything Chicago has to offer. So here are a few things you should start with. Chicago has a vast and vibrant Theatre scene with a varied community of theatrical companies performing all year round. Thursday nights have now become the hot ticket night with most companies offering promotions and special events and half price tickets. Some of the shows currently that are pulling in the crowds are Wicked at the Ford Centre, His Way at Chicago's NBC tower and Monsieur Chopin seen at the Royal George Theatre.

Shopping in Chicago is second to none so make sure you leave plenty of time to avoid disappointment. There are year round bargains to be found from the array of dazzling unique stores and shops as well as famous flagship stores such as Marshall Field's and Carson Pirie Scott. Most visitors who come for the shopping head to "The Magnificent Mile" this eight-block stretch on North Michigan Avenue has everything a true shopper could want. New stores on the mile this year are H&M and the designer Linda Campisano with her new shop and designer studio.

If you're looking for the home then, the newly opened Home Element has some astonishing pieces for you to see. The Spanish art gallery Barcelona Presence with its cultural and art centre has been a big hit with the city's Hispanic population. If you wont more shopping than the magnificent mile can offer then only a short taxi ride away is the old town on the corner of North Avenue and Wells.

Food Feast in Chicago

After all this shopping no doubt you would have worked up an appetite then don't worry Chicago is a feast for food lovers. Restaurants surround you it seems in Chicago and many people say it is a food lover's paradise. Whatever your tastes you will find them here from hot dogs to haute cuisine you wont be disappointed when eating out in Chicago.

Chicago Jazz and Blues

A visit to Chicago should definitely include a jazz or blues venue. Some of the long-standing haunts for blues would include Blue Chicago, House of Blues, Kingston Mines, and Buddy Guys Legends. If jazz is more your thing then try out Andy's Jazz Club, The Back Room, and Green Dolphin Street. If its buying jazz music is your thing then head down to the Jazz record mart located behind the magnificent mile at 444 N Wabash Ave. Here you will find probably the biggest collection of blues and jazz in the whole of North America.

Also close to the Jazz record mart is the Blue Chicago Store which features music, artwork and other great blues memorabilia. The new Millennium Park in downtown Chicago on Michigan Ave is an extradoinary showplace for world class art and music. Only opened recently this 24.5-acre Millennium Park shows Chicago as one of the most culturally sophisticated cities in the World. Frank Gehry who many consider to be the finest living architect today designed the centrepiece of the park.

Millennium Park is Chicago's latest world class attraction and is truly a place were you can enjoy awe inspiring works of art in a relaxing atmosphere.