Today in History
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Today in History |
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October 8, 1871 |
One fine night when we were all in bed, Old Mrs. O'Leary left the light on in the shed... The Great Chicago Fire burned from the evening on Sunday, October 8 to the early morn on Tuesday, October 10, 1871. Legend has it that the fire started in a shed owned by Catherine O'Leary, and was instigated by a cow kicking over a lantern. However, at least some part of the legend seems to be a reporter's fabrication. The actual cause of the fire is, in fact, uncertain. The use of wood as a primary building material and the unyielding wind pressing the fire to the north contributed to the fire's spread. When the city's water facility burned down, the fire fighters were without water. Finally, the fire burned itself out, aided by rain. Some 34 blocks were burned, destroying millions in property value, and almost a third of the city's population homeless (about 90,000 residents). Fatalities numbered between two and three hundred.
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