Death of Chicago's First Black Mayor, Harold Washington | Big Chicago Stories

When Harold Washington, Chicago’s first Black mayor, was re-elected to a second term, his agenda seemed to finally be taking off. He then suddenly died the day before Thanksgiving 1987. What ensued after his death was overwhelming grief punctuated by behind-the-scenes maneuvering to determine who would be the city’s next mayor. In Episode 3, NBC 5's Phil Rogers documents the unforgettable week that unfolded in smoke-filled rooms and public squares.
From a skyscraper-climbing spider-man to the shocking and devastating Loop train crash, a new NBC Chicago docuseries has brought some of the city's biggest stories back to the screen.

[@DonnyNoMarie]

You can tell a lot about a person by the way they behave when the cameras aren't around. I can still see Harold Washington driving through Hyde Park, sitting in the back of his limo, reading his bible. During some of those encounters, Harold would look up, flash a big smile, and wave at me. I think he was the last mayor with a deep emotional connection to the citizens of Chicago. RIP, Mayor.

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

Whites celebrated his death. At the board of trade, upon hearing he has been rushed to the hospital white started cheering. When reports came on his condition worsening, their cheers got louder. Upon hearing he died they were jumping for joy. There was almost a race riot at the board of trade. Around the city the bars were full and there were clinking of mugs and glasses. SEPARATION! the only answer.....

[@timward3116]

Wow, I had known he was mayor but I had never actually seen him on video until today. I had no idea he was so likable! What an inspiring, cheerful, uplifting person!

[@jdub8419]

I loved Harold , I got to meet him at 95 L street station. A Mayor for all the people. I stood in line for three hours to view the Mayor and pay respects. It was a sad time.

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

I met him when he first ran for mayor after Daley (1976)died. I was a teenager in highschool. He was skinny and his hair was dark. He came to the highschool I went to. I voted for him but he lost. One thing though....he got 10% of the vote...not bad

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

The next time I met him I was living in the projects on the Southside. He stood on the bench and said, " we're gonna make Jane Byrne spend every penny of her campaign donations!" The third time I met him, I was a college student at Roosevelt University, Harold's alma mater. I waited in line 5 hours and would do it again. I dated his niece for seven. She showed several of his belongings...

[@louisinc5101]

For anyone to go in the comments and say ANYTHING NEGATIVE about this man… shows what type of person you are! He was a Mayor for THE PEOPLE all people!!!!💯💯 *MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON* 💯💯👑💪🏿

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

Did you know when news came at the Chicago board of trade that he was a stricken you know who cheered loudly ..as the news developed of his death the cheers got louder.. the bars were crowded cheering his death over alcohol and other areas there were parties and picnics pot luck dinner celebrations... How could someone be so hateful?....how?

[@Victoria3232-j7o]

Hearing that man say he was a good person to everyone poor people and the girl that said he taught her that friendship has no color 😢

[@joemeehan9329]

This is a terrific series. Keep up the good work, Phil

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

As for the harold Washington library, as the years went by, more and of harolds artifacts were pushed to the back and damn near out of sight....there was even an attempt to slightly renamed the harold Washington library to "the Washington information and learning center". The el train announcing the stop would say "the Washington learning and information center." I was dating his niece at the time..i hurried up and called her to tell her what they were trying to do!!!! She was outraged! Rightfully so!!!!!she called several people and we shut that mess down. I called radio station WVON and it was own like popcone!!!! Lol the nerve!!!!!!

[@peacefaith560]

they killed him !!😪😪

[@dp7047]

Really enjoyed this segment! Chicago politics have always been entertaining to say the least

[@baileybutterfly320]

What a lovely man. Harold Washington seemed like a fun guy. Sawyer can kick rocks

[@louisinc5101]

Yeah!! Mayor Harold Washington was loved & celebrated every day of his term by the people LIKE LITERALLY. The city really LOVED HIM* You don’t see that anymore & you’ve never seen a Mayor so loved since!! 💯

[@jackdemus7890]

When will we see new episodes of this series?

[@reginalemaster9726]

Harold Washington - D voted to become a Sanctuary City. He was an American black citizen.

[@RonnieBrown-fi1hi]

Autopsy said he weighed 284 pounds! Bull shit! Noway,saying it contributed to his death! Bad eating habits.he wouldn't have been mayor, he would have been defensive tackle for the Bears!

[@TATNThisAintThatNetwork]

Greatest Mayor Ever

[@torcik]

You mean Richard J Daley?

[@louisinc5101]

YOU DAMN RIGHT!!👍👍🏼👍🏽👍🏻👍🏿 Mayor HAROLD WASHINGTON 😊💯💯💯💯💯💯👑💯💯💯💯💯

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

​@@torcikhell naw!!! Richard j. Who?!!!

[@gerdaremy1088]

They ATE him ALIVE with a grain of Salt.😢

[@DorisLLongll]

Yes chicago my hometown. ❤ Mayor harold washingston! 😂

[@Mr2bad1]

The people "kinda" turned on Eugene Sawer? That man ruined everything. He thought about himself not what the people of Chicago wanted.

[@TeddyGram1379]

But they killed him tho whyyyyy is they not talking about that

[@baileybutterfly320]

So true!!!! I can’t imagine the stress he was under.

[@torcik]

It was all those big macs

[@torcik]

@@baileybutterfly320 Maybe if he wasn't so fat and took care of his blood pressure

[@saulgood8229]

"They" forced Harold's heart to stop working?

[@loveppl6999]

YES, THEY PUT SOMETHING IN HIM OR SOMETHING HE ATE. STOP BEING IGNORANT AND RESEARCH SUBSTANCES THAT CAN DO THAT​@@saulgood8229

[@melissalsmith883]

People have heart attacks everyday conspiracy theorists calm down

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

Ok here we hear it from the blond section

[@tarikabaraka2251]

Harold Washington, primer alcalde negro de Chicago (Illinois), una de las tres ciudades más populosas de Estados Unidos.

[@JMT1985MO]

Man, this made me cry.

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

...and they celebrated his death!!!!!!

[@tommystx]

Ho kus pokus dominocus

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

Don't be a lump lump! Lol remember that was one of his sayings lol

[@luke4338]

I remember this. His involvement with the drug trade was well known, as well as his voracious consumption.

[@RonnieBrown-fi1hi]

Yea, when murder is involved! Any old excuse will do!

[@CharlesDorsey-ov2ht]

🐂💩!!!!!