The carpet was still being nailed down as the audience entered on opening night, December 16, 1959. The show began with Barbara Harris singing “Everybody’s in the Know.”

"Second City wasn’t a theater ensemble to me; it was a halfway house.” -Alan Arkin

"I was really born as a comedian at Second City. I owe it my career." -Joan Rivers

The Second City swaps stages with London's The Establishment, marking the troupe's first UK run.

The company makes the first trek to Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, putting down Canadian roots a decade before opening The Second City Toronto.

Bernie Sahlins produces a TV series in Manchester called 'Second City Reports,' which airs in the UK.

Fred Willard (right) examines Robert Klein with a sausage stethescope.

'Enter, from Above' opens with ensemble member Bob Curry, The Second City’s first African American actor.

Joyce Sloane launches The Second City Touring Company with the aim of training talent and bringing comedy to audiences across the globe.

On the heels of the Democratic National Convention, the 28th Mainstage revue 'A Plague on Both Your Houses' runs just blocks from where police, the National Guard, and anti-war protesters clashed.

Political and social activist Abbie Hoffman spends his days at the Chicago Seven conspiracy trial...and his nights performing at The
Second City.

The addition of Ramis was just the beginning of how the Chicago cast would set the tone for an entire generation of comic performers who were as hilarious as they were radical.

The Second City hits double digits, celebrating its 10th anniversary with a show called 'Old Wine, New Bottles.'

A 22-year-old John Belushi makes his Second City debut in 'No, No, Wilmette.'

The Toronto production of 'Godspell' opens, featuring future Second City and 'SCTV' stars Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Eugene Levy.

The Second City goes international, opening a theater in Toronto on Adelaide Street. There’s no air conditioning, no liquor license, and almost no audience.

Bill Murray, John Candy, and Betty Thomas debut in 'Phase 46 or Watergate Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight,' Chicago’s 46th Mainstage revue.

Second City Toronto finds a new home at 110 Lombard Street in a 19th-century firehouse called the Old Firehall.

'The Canadian Show or Upper U.S.A.' opens with a cast that includes borrowed Toronto players Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Candy, and Eugene Levy.

'Saturday Night Live' premieres on NBC with Second City alumni John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner, with Bill Murray joining the cast in its second season.

Martin Short joins The Second City, taking over for John Candy in 'The Wizard of Ossington,' Toronto’s 9th revue. I" would not say that my work at Second City had intellectual appeal as much as more of a clown quality." -Martin Short

A syndication deal for 'SCTV' means American hosers from coast to coast are delighted, eh?

'Something Wonderful Right Away' is published, Jeffrey Sweet's oral history of The Second City and the Compass Players.

Two decades in, there’s no doubt that Second City is a nationally known comedy institution.

After meeting at Dan Aykroyd's speakeasy across the street from TheSecond City, Aykroyd and John Belushi become 'The Blues Brothers.'

NBC airs 'SCTV' as a late night 90-minute program called 'SCTV Network 90' on Fridays after Johnny Carson.

Rick Moranis & Dave Thomas release an LP based on their 'SCTV' characters, "Bob and Doug McKenzie," which were dreamed up as the direct result of the CBS’s requirement for “identifiable Canadian content.”

The Second City e.t.c. debuts next door to Chicago’s Mainstage in Piper’s Alley with its first show, 'Cows on Ice.'

One year after its first, 'SCTV' takes home a second Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program.

The Second City’s 25th Anniversary special films at Chicago’s Vic Theatre and airs On HBO and Canada’s CBC.

Andrew Alexander and Len Stuart acquire Bernie Sahlins’ interest in The Second City.

Mike Myers performs a character named “Wayne” in the Toronto Mainstage revue 'Not Based on Anything by Stephen King.'

Stephen Colbert takes a job at The Second City answering phones in the box office and selling t-shirts in exchange for free classes.

Betty Thomas leads a cast that includes Mike Myers, Bonnie Hunt and Richard Kind for 'Kuwait Until Dark or Bright Lights, Night Baseball.'

A one-hour CBC/Showtime special featuring clips of the 15th anniversary reunion show at Toronto's Second City.

Second City’s West Coast outpost opens in Santa Monica's refurbished Mayfair Theater. Before closing in 1992, Robin Williams makes a legendary guest appearance.

Gilda Radner passes away of ovarian cancer on May 20th, 1989 at age 42.

Chicago's 30th Anniversary show was appropriately titled 'It Was 30 Years Ago Today.'

After a stint in the Touring Company and Second City Northwest, Steve Carell opens 'Northwest by North Wells.'

Both former box office employees, Stephen Colbert and Nia Vardalos appear together in 'Ku Klux Klambake' at Second City Northwest.

The Second City’s Outreach Program launches as a part of The Second City Training Center with the mission of providing new voices of color to the community, as well as an opportunity to learn at The Second City.

Detroit stages 25 revues over its 14-year run, with talent that includes Keegan-Michael Key and Angela V. Shelton, the only Second City actor who has been a member of all four resident stage companies in Detroit, Toronto & Chicago.

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler both audition for The Second City Touring Company. They both get hired.

Chicago’s 'Piñata Full of Bees' opens, shaking up Second City’s format and challenging the structure and content of all the revues that came before or after it.

'Citizen Gates' features the Chicago Mainstage’s first gender-equal cast, directed by Mick Napier and featuring Tina Fey, Jenna Jolovitz, and Rachel Dratch.

Canada’s comedy giants return for the 25th anniversary celebration, which is aired as a one-hour special on CBC.

Del Close passes away on March 14th, 1999, after holding a “living wake.”

The Second City Chicago celebrates its 40th anniversary with an alumni-filled weekend of celebration.

In partnership with Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Second City Theatricals debuts 'Hamlet! The Musical.' Pictured: Mick Napier as Hamlet and Alexandra Billings as Gertrude.

In partnership with Jam Theatricals, The Second City Las Vegas begins a six-year run at The Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino.

The Second City Outreach & Diversity division expands to a full-year program.

Based on the real-life wedding of Second City alums Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez, 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' becomes the highest-grossing independent film of all time.

The New York Times features the 24-hour improv and music marathon, then in its 2nd year of raising money for disadvantaged Chicago families.

Detroit alum Keegan-Michael Key and MADtv's Nicole Parker Redford lead the production at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, the full name of which was 'The Second City’s Romeo and Juliet Musical: The People vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet.'

Second City takes to the high seas with Norwegian Cruise Line in an exclusive partnership that lasts fourteen years.

Though Second City had been holding improv classes in Hollywood since 2000, additional space was rented in 2006 to accommodate the growing program. Graduate Bill Hader credited his classes at The Second City Hollywood during his 2018 Emmy acceptance speech, saying, "I was taught there that you should always make the other people look good, so I hired other great actors who made me look good.”

The Second City Training Center and Columbia College Chicago offer students college credit and a "semester abroad" immersed in the world of comedy.

The future president makes a visit to The Second City to see the 94th Mainstage revue, 'Between Barack and a Hard Place.'

The Second City Alumni Fund came into existence during a one-night event at Second City Toronto. Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Andrea Martin, Joe Flaherty and Martin Short came together to raise money for a former 'SCTV' crew member facing serious hardships.

The former governor takes in a performance of Second City’s musical based on his rise and fall...long before beginning his 14-year prison sentence for corruption.

The Second City is presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal.

The Second City Hollywood celebrates its newly renovated Training Center facilities with an open house and shows.

The e.t.c.’s 35th revue 'Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting)' brings home 3 Joseph Jefferson Awards.

UP Comedy Club opens on the third floor of Piper’s Alley as a new space to incubate theatrical works and feature stand-up performers.

The Second City announces a partnership with Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd to bring improv training and performances to Japan.

'I, Martin Short, Goes Home' airs as a special on CBC, co-executive produced by Andrew Alexander.

A partnership with Lyric Opera of Chicago produces 'The Second City’s Guide to the Opera,' featuring renowned soprano Renée Fleming and Sir Patrick Stewart.

The Second City, including Bill Murray and Colin Mochrie, celebrates Bernie Sahlins at a memorial held in the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

The first sixteen recipients of the inaugural Bob Curry Fellowship are announced.

Second City alumni and friends return for one legendary night, with proceeds going to Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund.

In a collaboration with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Second City presents 'The Art of Falling,' a groundbreaking show that earns rave reviews.

The business arm of the company gets a brand new name, but keeps the same mission: bringing Second City’s award-winning improv and comedy techniques to hundreds of global clients.

The book becomes an essential read for those seeking to become better leaders and more collaborative followers by employing the 7 elements of improv.

An extra-alarm fire tears through Second City Chicago, destroying offices but sparing the theaters. The following month, Second City holds a special performance to thank the Chicago Fire Department heroes.

The Second City Outreach & Diversity program evolves into Diversity & Inclusion, continuing to uphold Second City’s ongoing commitment to expose the art of improvisation to new voices and talent.

Named for the year Second City opened its doors, a brand new bar and restaurant opens on the second floor of Piper’s Alley.

The Second City Training Center takes over the former AMC movie theater space in Piper's Alley and opens a 25,000-square-foot expansion, doubling its size.

The City of Chicago awards The Second City with the Fifth Star Award for significant contributions to the city’s arts and culture scene.

The Second City announces a collaboration with the Center for Decision Research at The Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago to study behavioral science through the lens of improvisation.

'Take Off, Eh' raises more than $325,000 for Spinal Cord Injury Ontario and Jake Thomas, nephew of Dave Thomas. Performers at the event include some of Canada’s biggest names in comedy and music.

The very first class graduates from the Harold Ramis Film School.

The celebrity roast raises more than $200,000 for Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund.

Governor General Julie Payette presents Alexander with Canada’s most prestigious recognition for the performing arts. “Receiving this award is a tremendous acknowledgment of the thousands of talented young actors and students who have found a home at Second City, just like I have.”

The Second City and DePaul University launch a groundbreaking program designed to expand comedy education. Starting in fall 2018, DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in comedy filmmaking, the most comprehensive programs of their kind.

The Second City will mark its sixtieth anniversary this December with the release of a new book, 'The Second City: The Essentially Accurate History.'