Here’s a look back at what happened in the Chicago area on Nov. 16, according to the Tribune’s archives.

Is an important event missing from this date? Email us .

Weather records (from the National Weather Service, Chicago )

High temperature: 73 degrees (1952)

Low temperature: 6 degrees (1959)

Precipitation: 1.2 inches (1928)

Snowfall: 0.9 inches (1920)

1903: “Big Ben” escaped to Lake Michigan. The 600-pound male sea lion, who arrived at Lincoln Park Zoo from California a year earlier, scaled the 3-foot iron fence around his enclosure and headed 200 yards into the lake. Worried a hunter might shoot the animal, keeper Cyrus DeVry offered a $25 reward for Big Ben’s safe return. The animal was spotted at many different locations , including 2 miles off south Chicago, w

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