| The Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan and his then-wife, Juanita, meet with reporters as he announces his retirement Jan. 13, 1999, at the United Center in Chicago. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Chicago Tribune) Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area from Jan. 12-18, according to the Tribune’s archives. Are we missing an important event? Email me. —Kori Rumore  The storm of Jan. 12 to 14, 1979,
dropped more than 20 inches of snow on the city. It was the worst storm of a winter in which almost 90 inches of snow — the all-time season record —
fell on the city and that was also remembered as the second-coldest in Chicago’s recorded history. (Chicago Tribune) Jan. 12, 1979: The city was walloped by a massive blizzard that dumped 20.3 inches of snow. At the time it was the second-largest snowfall in city history. Today, it’s the fourth-largest. It was not only the worst storm of that winter, the snowfall was also be a major factor in the city’s next mayoral election.  "I'm here to announce
my retirement from the game of basketball ...," Michael Jordan told a packed house at the United Center in Chicago on Jan. 13, 1999. (Chicago Tribune) Jan. 13, 1999: “It’s not really 100 percent,” Michael Jordan said, “but it’s close. That’s where I stand. I’m not going to say never. But I will say 99.9.” Jordan retired from the Chicago Bulls for the second time.  Chicago Public
Schools students participated in a walkout on Jan. 14, 2022, at their respective schools, then later in the day outside CPS headquarters, over what they
felt was a lack of classroom safety amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Chicago Tribune) Jan. 14, 2022: Chicago Public Schools students staged a walkout over the return to in-person learning amid lackluster COVID precautions. Framed by an altar rail, members of the Wendell Phillips High School choir sing a tribute to Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 15, 1974, at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Chicago. (William Kelly/Chicago Tribune) Jan. 15, 1974: The first Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Day was observed in Illinois. A cheering crowd of 1,000 people joined a celebration at Operation PUSH headquarters while others attended a candlelit memorial service at St. Martin Catholic Church. Chicago public schools and city colleges were closed. All city, state and county offices in Chicago were closed as were criminal and civil courts and three state motor vehicle facilities. Chicago Fire Department fireboats battle the early blaze at McCormick Place from Burnham Harbor on Jan. 16, 1967. More than
500 firefighters were called to the scene as flames spread throughout the structure. Jan. 16, 1967: McCormick Place was destroyed by fire. Want more vintage Chicago? Subscribe to the free Vintage Chicago Tribune newsletter, follow Today in Chicago History, join our Chicagoland history Facebook group and follow us on Instagram for more from Chicago's past. Have an idea for Vintage Chicago Tribune? Share it with Kori Rumore and Marianne Mather at krumore@chicagotribune.com and mmather@chicagotribune.com | 
