City Celebrations

Man on Five

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Daley sponsored festivals, parades, and public events that showcased Chicago and its people, and he welcomed entertainers and other dignitaries when they visited.

One of the things that amazed me was that he enjoyed every event. It could be the one-hundredth parade of the year and you would think that it truly was the first one. He loved people. He loved parades. He loved the excitement. He loved his job.

Patricia Daley-Martino, daughter of Richard J. Daley, interview excerpt, June 12, 2002

Richard J. Daley leading a Saint Patrick's Day parade with a shillelagh

Richard J. Daley carrying a shillelagh and leading a Saint Patrick’s Day parade. Father Byrnes and Admiral Galloway are walking beside him. RJD_04_01_0064_0001_009

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Richard J. Daley and four people looking at a scrolled document, the proclamation for a “Bal Masqué” event, undated. RJD_04_01_0017_0003_004

Richard J. Daley surrounded by five women wearing national costumes in honor of Captive Nations Week, 1960. Photo R. E. Murphy. RJD_04_01_0019_0006_001

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Richard J. Daley and Eleanor Roosevelt at the dedication of Roosevelt University in honor of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, 1959. Photo: Roosevelt University. RJD_04_01_0046_0002_001

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Richard J. Daley in the center of a group of Little Misses, 1961. Photo: Mart Studios. RJD_04_01_0020_0006_006

Richard J. Daley with Santa, carolers, and tree at outdoor holiday event, 1959. Photo: Pics Chicago. RJD_04_01_0014_0006_017

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Members of a building construction technical study team from the Japan Productivity Center in Tokyo meet with the Mayor, 1956. RJD_04_01_0061_0001_003

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Richard J. Daley with cake celebrating the 120th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Chicago, ca. 1957. Photo: Pics Chicago. RJD_04_01_0014_0008_001

Apollo 11 astronaut parade crowd to celebrate first man landing on the moon

Apollo 11 astronaut parade crowd to celebrate landing of first man on the moon, 1969. RJD_04_01_0052_0006_013

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Richard J. Daley and Eleanor Daley with costumed Mrs. O’Leary and cow, 1976. RJD_04_01_0036_0006_003

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The State Department and other people always knew that they could bring people to Chicago. That was because they would get the best reception of all, the most lavish dinners, and the biggest parades. That was because they knew they could count on Richard J. Daley to put on a good performance. With New York, there was the first time around with the astronauts, sure. But then, after the second, third, and fourth ones, they didn’t. Chicago always still got them because we still put on a good show. He just loved showing off his city.

Ed Bedore, City Budget Director,

May 18, 2009

Richard J. Daley, Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz, and David Ben-Gurion, Prime Minister of Israel, undated. RJD_04_01_0069_0002_001

Richard J. Daley with Sen. Percy and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat

Richard J. Daley (at podium) with Senator Charles Percy (left) and President of Egypt, Anwar Sadat (middle) raising their glasses in a toast, 1975. RJD_04_01_0053_0007_002

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Program for dinner in honor of Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin, 1961. RJD_01_02_0001_0010_006

Visit of Japanese Emperor Hirohito, instructions for hosts, 1975. The handwritten note is from Colonel “Jack” Reilly, Mayor Daley’s director of special events. RJD_01_02_0001_0010_004

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Bishop Marcinkus, Richard J. Daley, and Eleanor Daley meet with Pope Paul VI, undated. RJD_04_01_0047_0001_002

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Queen Elizabeth II’s 1959 visit to Chicago. Mayor Daley and Illinois Governor William Stratton welcome Queen Elizabeth in Grant Park. Click on the second image to play video.

Map of docking area for Queen Elizabeth II’s arrival in Chicago, 1959. RJD_01_02_0003_0010_008

Video: Excerpt from “Queen’s Visit to Chicago,” RJD_04_02_0000_0000_359

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Richard J. Daley, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and others tour the International Trade Fair in Chicago, 1959. Photo: Pics Chicago. RJD_04_01_0046_0001_006