Today in Chicago History: Sears Tower becomes the world’s tallest building
By Kori Rumore
Published on May 3, 2026.
On May 3, 1973, the world's tallest building, Sears Tower, became the symbol of Chicago, ending the Empire State Building's reign as the tallest building. The building, now Willis Tower, lost its title when it was surpassed by Malaysia's Petronas Towers and New York City's One World Trade Center. The Tribune won a Pulitzer Prize in 1976 for special local reporting for two major investigations, one showing the devastating effect of FHA loans on inner-city neighborhoods and another exposing shoddy conditions at several Chicago hospitals. The Chicago Cubs retired the No. 31 jersey worn by Hall of Fame pitchers Fergie Jenkins and Greg Maddux at Wrigley Field in 2009.
Read Original Article