Wrigley Field: A National Historic Landmark, Mass Killings: A Rising National Concern
Wrigley Field: A National Historic Landmark
With the regular baseball season now in full swing, ballparks are getting busy across the nation. This includes one of the oldest MLB stadiums in the country, Wrigley Field, which had a total attendance of over 2.7 million in 2023, according to Baseball Reference. With its renowned ivy-covered brick walls, Wrigley Field is a popular attraction for those visiting the city of Chicago.
Wrigley Field Stadium first opened in 1914 under the name Weeghman Park. It soon became the official home to the Chicago Cubs in 1916 and was renamed Wrigley Field after the team’s majority shareholder, William Wrigley Jr., in 1926. Throughout the years, Wrigley Field has left an important mark not only on the sport of baseball but also in Chicago history. As a result, it was officially named a National Historic Landmark in 2020.
Located at 1060 West Addison Street, Wrigley Field is the centerpiece of a busy surrounding neighborhood called Wrigleyville, after the famous ballpark. Whether a baseball fan, a history buff, or someone just interested in having fun, Wrigleyville is full of fun attractions and events for everyone. One can catch a show at the Newport Theater, grab drinks with friends at the Brickhouse Tavern, play a few games at Lucky Strike, or explore Wrigleyville’s numerous attractions.
Mass Killings: A Rising National Concern
Since 2006, there have been 586 mass killings across the United States, according to a database organized by the Associated Press, Northeastern University, and USA Today. The database counts all mass killings where at least four people are killed by an offender within a 24-hour time frame.
As shown in the map above, mass killings take place across the entire U.S. and are a national problem. Every state, except New Hampshire and Rhode Island (pictured in grey), has reported at least one mass killing in the past 18 years. However, California with 65, Texas with 51, and Illinois with 35, have seen the highest number of mass killings since 2006. Additionally, the database shows that 2023 had the second-highest number of mass killings since 2006, including the most public mass shootings.
Although mass shootings garner the most media attention, it is essential to acknowledge that mass killings are committed by a variety of different weapons in different environments and locations. Therefore, although it is important to discuss the impacts of guns, there also needs to be more discussion about other causes of mass killings and how to prevent them.
The Associated Press, Northeastern University, and USA Today show that since 2006, mass killings have resulted in the death of 3,045 victims across the nation. Not only does mass violence result in tragic losses of life, but it also leaves behind survivors in need of support. Considering this, the national problem of mass killings must be addressed to prevent and limit the loss of life and improve the safety of people in the United States.
