Events, History, Museums
The Great Chicago Fire, 150 Years Ago
On the Sunday night of October 8, 1871, in a hay-filled cow barn the Great Chicago Fire started. The fire ran and grew, swept by a strong wind from the southwest, eating its way north and toward downtown and beyond. The city awoke Tuesday to find more than 18,000 buildings destroyed. In the aftermath of the fire, the great city rose almost immediately from the ashes, with architects and others arriving to help rebuild better, bigger, and newer.
The Chicago History Museum will open a new exhibit on October 8th called City on Fire: Chicago 1871, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the fire. This is designed for families to learn, explore, and discover the impact the Great Chicago Fire had on the city and the people who lived here. For more information on the exhibit, please visit About — City on Fire (chicago1871.org)
History
Remembering September 11
“None of us will ever forget this day,” George W. Bush pledged on the evening of September 11, 2001. Upon the 20th anniversary, Concierge Unlimited will never forget the 2,983 people killed in the horrific attack on 9/11. We also remember those who responded and risked their lives to save others and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath of the attacks.
History, Museums
HELMUT JAHN: LIFE + ARCHITECTURE
Pictures Courtesy: Chicago Architecture Center
CUI recommends and honors Helmut Jahn: Life + Architecture, a new exhibit now opened at the Chicago Architecture Center, 111 E. Wacker Dr. The exhibit is opened daily since July 23rd running through October 31st. The hours are 10am to 5pm. Tickets are $15.00 for public, free for CAC members. CAC Exhibit Voucher | Events | Chicago Architecture Center. Info@architecture.org.
History, Seasonal
Happy Bastille Day From Concierge Unlimited Team
July 14, 2021
What is Bastille Day?
Bastille Day is one of the most important days in the French calendar. The 14th of July has been celebrated in France since 1880. But the story starts, of course, with the Bastille and its storming by the angry citizens in 1789, a major event of the French Revolution, as well as the Fete de la Federation that celebrated the unity of the French people. The Bastille has long since lost its primary role of being a prison. In fact, when it was stormed, there were only supposedly, 7 prisoners in total. It was the symbol of the Bastille and what it represented that pushed the people to the brink. It was the day that the French people stood up for themselves. The people took matters into their own hands and became masters of their own destiny.
Events, History
Chicago History Museum: International Women’s Day
Today marks International Women’s Day, which recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women.
The first National Woman’s Day was organized by the Socialist Party of America and observed on February 28, 1909. The following year, at the second International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Denmark, it was proposed that there be a celebration on the same day every year for women to advocate for their demands. International Women’s Day was honored for the first time on March 19, 1911, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. By 1914, the day was agreed globally to be observed annually on March 8, which it has remained ever since.
The way the day has been recognized varies from country to country. In the early years, it was often a day for marches, where women protested for the right to vote, to hold public office, and for equitable working conditions and pay. In the US, the day has moved away from its origins within the labor movement and is often used to recognize women’s achievements. In Chicago, March 8 has been a day that numerous women’s organizations have hosted rallies, programs, and other celebrations.
Women’s activism has a rich history in the Chicago area. Chicago women have chosen to challenge unfair employment policies, structural racism, and a lack of political representation. Chicago History Museums’ online experience Democracy Limited: Chicago Women and the Vote offers a glimpse of recent and distant moments when Chicago-area women mobilized for change, part of a long history of activism and protest.
Image: Women march down State Street for the first women’s liberation march since 1916, May 15, 1971. ST-20003470-0019, Chicago Sun-Times collection, CHM © Sun-Times Media, LLC. All rights reserved.
History, Holidays
CUI Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15th, 1929. He was a pivotal advocate for African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
King experienced racism from an early age, and those events stayed with and eventually brought him to a life of activism. After graduating college with a doctorate degree in theology, King became a pastor in Alabama. He began a series of peaceful protests in the south that eventually changed many laws dealing with the equality of African Americans. King gave hundreds of moving speeches across the country, and in 1964 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
On April 4th, 1968, Dr. King was shot and killed while in Memphis, Tennessee. Although his life ended that day, the work that he had accomplished changed the nation. King will be remembered not only for his commitment to the cause of equality for African Americans but also for his profound speeches that moved so many.
Few Quotes by Dr. King:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.“
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.“
“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.“
“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.“
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?“
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.“
Events, History, Holidays
It’s Like A Dream To Me: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Tribute – WFMT
Join WFMT for its annual rebroadcast of It’s Like A Dream to Me produced by Studs Terkel and Jim Unrath in 1970. With Heart and Voice will anticipate the holiday with an hour on the theme of Peace and Justice, evoked via sacred choral music. Then on the holiday, hear A Beautiful Symphony of Brotherhood, tracing Dr. King’s legacy through his love of music.
History, Museums, National & International
History of La Conciergerie
At the end of 17th century, La Conciergerie was transformed into the prison for the wealthiest criminals. Of all the prisoners, the most famous would be Marie-Antoinette. During her imprisonment she entrusted her palace keys to a concierge warren ; who would secretly deliver letters to and from the palace.
The La Conciergerie has played several roles over its lifetime, from being a part of parliament, imprisoning the richest, and political criminals to imprisoning Marie-Antoinette and it’s in final role as an art gallery museum classified as a National Historic Monument. As La Conciergerie transformed, so did the concierge role. Overtime, the role of concierge grew from residentials to hotels in France, then expanded across Europe and by 1976 arrived to the USA. In 1982, Concierge Unlimited International became the birthplace of the private and corporate industry.
Though the role of a concierge may have expanded into new territory in the business world. The root vales still hold same as it did in the 17th century. An honor, we vow to continue to embrace in our roles as a concierge. An integrity to be our clients “keeper of the keys”, while providing a one of a kind services to our clients and to our queens.
