V-E day in Chicago Cause for Celebration and Worry-- Part 2

Many of the city's wartime plants and factories stopped their machines so workers could hear President Harry Truman's announcement of Germany's surrender on the radio.  At the corner of Washington and Wabash, a well-dressed man invited a passing sailor to lunch, saying, "I just wanted to say 'thanks' some way to the guys who are fighting."

On the West Side of the city, a candle-maker prepared to light an 18-foot-tall, red, white and blue candle he had started making when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.

The city stationed 800 police officers downtown, mobilized the entire fire department and even prohibited sales of liquor.  Stores were closed and windows boarded up along State Street.  Even bowling alleys were closed.  All this in fear that the celebration might get out of hand.

One incident where exuberance got out of hand was when the manager of the Liberty Inn shot off a revolver inside his Clark Street tavern.  In penance, he promised a judge he would donate $10 to the Chicago serviceman's center.  Lake Forest cops arrested five New Trier High School students who were celebrating by breaking streetlights.

Cause for a Celebration, Though.  --GreGen