Curious City

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The Curious Case Of The Swami Vivekananda Way Street Sign May 09, 2024

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Kids in India learn about Swami Vivekananda like kids in the U.S. learn about Abraham Lincoln. So how is it that he has his own honorary Chicago street sign? Find out about the monk who introduced Hinduism to the West, his deep ties to the city, and...what exactly happened to that sign.

Is This Your Card? A Brief History Of Chicago-style Magic May 02, 2024

Show notes

Chicago-style magic is close up, funny and usually performed at a bar or restaurant. We learn about its history and talk to several magicians who are part of the tradition.

The Mayor, The Prince, and the Gift That Invaded Japan’s Biggest Lake Apr 25, 2024

Show notes

In October 1960, Prince Akihito of Japan visited Chicago for 21 hours. Chicago’s mayor presented the prince with a diplomatic gift: 18 bluegill. What happened next would change the underwater world of Japan forever.

Who’s A Good Boy: A Look At Chicago’s Top Dog Breeds Apr 18, 2024

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Pit bulls are the number one dog breed in Chicago. We take a trip to the animal shelter to find out why, and we follow one pup as he attempts to find a forever home.

What's That Dead Zone In The 19th Ward? Apr 11, 2024

Show notes

There’s a hole in the map of Chicago. It turns out, it’s a cemetery. But there are many other cemeteries in Chicago that don’t show up as holes on the map, so what’s up with this one? We take you to the 19th Ward and explore the history of this dead zone.

What Happened To The Crows? Apr 04, 2024

Show notes

A listener thought she’d noticed a change in Chicago’s crow population. And she was right. More than twenty years ago, the crow population of Illinois was at an all-time high. But just a few years later, half of the birds were dead. The crows were hit by a deadly virus. And it’s one that humans are susceptible to as well. So where was this virus coming from? Reporter Claire Caulfield finds the answer.

From Desegregation To Teen Angst: Inside CPS’s Selective Enrollment System Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

What began as a method of desegregation and a way to stem white flight has now become a source of both pride and pain for kids and families around the city. We’ll look at the history and future of Chicago’s selective enrollment high schools.

Apple Slices: A Nostalgic Piece Of Chicago Pastry History Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

Apple slices were a favorite Chicago pastry decades ago. Not many bakeries sell them today, but the dessert still has avid fans who hold on to its nostalgic flavor.

Sign Stealing: A Petty Piece Of Chicago Political History Mar 14, 2024

Show notes

Stealing political signs has been a thing since candidates started printing signs. The tactic was widely used by the Chicago political machine, and its origins trace back to the late 1800s when saloons and politicians worked closely together.

Two For Women’s History Month Mar 07, 2024

Show notes

The juvenile justice system we know today was created by Cook County women. We take a look back at how the program came to be. Then later, ever notice how so few of Chicago’s monuments are of women? We’ll find out why and talk to the folks working to change that.

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