Kicker Kevin Butler becomes the first Bear to score 1,000 points

Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Dec. 24, according to Tribune archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Send us an email.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was created in Chicago by Montgomery Ward editor Robert L. May to sell toys in 1939. Here’s how the popular Christmas character — and his author — made history.

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago)

• High temperature: 64 degrees (1889)
• Low temperature: Minus 25 degrees (1983)
• Precipitation: 2.61 inches (1965)
• Snowfall: 7.1 inches (1918)

Flashback: Chicago’s first Christmas tree in 1913 was born from a new idea: why not display a giant tree so everyone could celebrate?

1913: More than 100,000 people gathered in Grant Park to witness the unveiling of Chicago’s first municipal Christmas tree.

1969: Holy Name Cathedral welcomed 1,500 parishioners for midnight mass on Christmas Eve after extensive renovations.

Vintage Chicago Tribune: 150th Anniversary of Holy Name Cathedral

Early in 1967, Cardinal John Cody unveiled a 10-year, $250 million plan called “Project: Renewal.” In addition to installing new heating and cooling systems, weakened wooden beams would be replaced with steel beams to strengthen the building’s infrastructure. In response to updates from the Second Vatican Council, the location of the altar was also adjusted so that the clergy faced the congregation while celebrating Mass. The cathedral closed on the Monday after Easter in 1968 so that work could begin.

1971: Armed with a handgun and seven sticks of dynamite, Everett Leary Holt hijacked Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 734 from Minneapolis to Chicago. After a five-hour standoff at O’Hare International Airport, Holt surrendered.

The Chicago Bears played 9 times on Christmas Eve and twice on Christmas Day. Here’s how they’ve done it since 1989.

1989: Chicago Bears defensive end and future Hall of Famer Richard Dent sacked San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana to become the franchise’s all-time sack leader in a game the Bears lost 26-0. Dent’s 124.5 sacks remain a team record.

1994: Bears kicker Kevin Butler became the first Bear and only the 22nd NFL player to score 1,000 points with his 44-yard field goal in the first quarter of a 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots. Two other attempts, however, failed. A 38-yard attempt was blocked in the third quarter and a 36-yard try then went wide left.

“Tis the season…to fire Bulls coaches? A look at the franchise’s tradition of making big changes during the holidays.

2001: Tim Floyd has resigned as coach of the Chicago Bulls.

Floyd, the 13th coach of the Bulls franchise, had an abysmal 49-190 record in Chicago, including a 15-67 mark in the 2000-01 season.

But rather than make a decision on Floyd this offseason, when trades are often expected, the Bulls brought back Floyd. He resigned on Christmas Eve. At the time, Floyd said the decision to resign was his own, but general manager Jerry Krause’s name was left out when he thanked members of the franchise.

2007: Bulls coach Scott Skiles has been fired.

Unlike Floyd and Bill Cartwright, Skilles was successful and reached the playoffs in each of his three full seasons. Skiles’ team recorded its first playoff victory since the end of the Jordan dynasty in 1998, reinvigorating a franchise and fan base that had been dormant for years.

Led by youngsters Ben Gordon and Luol Deng, the Bulls have become a franchise on the rise with Skiles at the helm. None of that mattered when they started the 2007-08 season with a 9-16 record. Skiles was summoned to Paxson’s office and relieved of his duties just before his team began a Christmas Eve practice.

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