Video | Legendary Blizzards | Chicago Stories

It takes a lot to stop the city of Chicago in its tracks. But two deadly blizzards in 1967 and 1979 did just that. The city's woefully inadequate response to the second one dealt a fatal blow to the political career of one mayor, Michael Bilandic, and jumpstarted the nascent campaign of another: Jane Byrne. Chicago Stories looks back on those two epic storms. Audio-narrated descriptions available.

In 1967, the largest blizzard in the city’s history brought Chicago to a halt, just days after unseasonably warm weather.

The 1979 blizzard hit Chicago hard, and the city had already seen 39 inches of snow for the season. Some 20.3 inches of snow was on its way.

As Mayor Michael Bilandic struggled to address the 1979 blizzard, mayoral primary candidate Jane Byrne was presented with a political opportunity.

The Chicago tradition of “dibs” is a controversial practice in which people save street parking spots they’ve shoveled with common household objects.

Snowmageddon! The Groundhog Day Blizzard! Whatever you call it, the epic snowstorm that slammed Chicago in 2011 was unforgettable.