What is the Chicago Fire?
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The Great Chicago Fire was a devastating conflagration that occurred from October 8 to October 10, 1871, destroying approximately 17,500 buildings across 3.3 square miles of the city and killing an estimated 300 people. While legend blames a cow kicking over a lantern in the O'Leary family barn on the city's West Side, the true cause remains unknown, though severe drought, strong southwest winds, and widespread wooden construction accelerated the blaze's rapid spread. The disaster left over 100,000 residents homeless (roughly one-third of the population) and caused an estimated $222 million in damages (approximately $5.7 billion in 2025), prompting the city to implement stricter building codes and spark a "Great Rebuilding" that transformed Chicago into a modern metropolis.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2026 03:55PM