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Harold Washington (1922 – 1987): Home

This site is dedicated to information about Mayor Harold Washington

 

Timeline of Harold Washington's Life

April 15,1922 Born in Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL
1936-9 Attended DuSable High School
1939 Enrolled in the Civilian Conservation Corps.
1943-45 Enlisted in the U. S. Army
1946 High School diploma awarded after serving in the military
1949 Bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL
1952 Law degree, Northwestern University School of Law in Evanston, IL
1952 Became practicing attorney 
1954  Assistant City Prosecutor and 3rd Ward Precinct Captain
1965-77 Illinois State Representative-26th district
1977 Ran for mayor, but lost
1977-81 Illinois State Senator
1981-83 U.S. Congressman-1st District 
1983 Ran for Mayor of the City of Chicago, winning
1987 Re-elected to Mayor
November 25,1987 Died in office of heart attack

 

 

This guide is dedicated to the life of Mayor Harold Washington, Chicago's first African-American mayor, serving from 1983 until his death in 1987.  It was created to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the renaming of Loop College to Harold Washington College in 1987.

Inside this guide you will find a variety of resources including books, articles, photographs and videos celebrating the legacy of Mayor Harold Washington.

 

Photo Credit: John White, Chicago Sun-Times

DuSable High School

Attended 1936-9,1946 received diploma after returning from military service

1983 Campaign

Harold Washington making a campaign stop

1983 Campaign

1983 campaign

HW quote

"We still have to count the votes!

Chicago Tribune headline

Official Campaign button

2nd Term victory

1987

Sun Times headline

"It's Harold!"

Offiicial Mayoral photo

by Antonio Dickey

Harold Washington

In his 5th floor City Hall office

Posing for a Playboy cover

In the neighborhood

Vision of a New City

Promises for 2nd term with Chicago skyline

Collasped and died while at his office

Buried in Oak Wood Cemetery

Chicago Public School named in his honor

Chicago Park District

Renamed Harold Washington Park-Located across the street from Hampton House in Hyde Park where Mayor Washington lived

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

City Colleges of Chicago

Renamed Loop College to Harold Washington in 1987