25
Aug
1. The Great Chicago Fire (1871)The Great Chicago Fire remains one of the most infamous urban disasters in United States history. Beginning on October 8, 1871, the blaze burned for roughly 36 hours, killing an estimated 300 people and leaving more than 100,000 residents homeless. At the time, Chicago was a rapidly expanding city built largely of wood, including sidewalks and buildings, which allowed the fire to spread quickly.Approximately 17,000 structures were destroyed across four square miles. Property damage was estimated at $200 million in 1871 dollars, equivalent to several billion today. Despite the devastation, the disaster reshaped Chicago into…
