October
8th, 1871 marked the beginning of the Great Chicago Fires. These fires
killed 200-300 people, destroyed 17,450 buildings, left 100,000
homeless, and caused what today would be approximately $3 billion in
damages. This magnitude of destruction quickly inspired great
reconstruction efforts, leading to the foundations of a modern city with
the world's first skyscrapers. All this led to great economic
development and population growth. So much so that in 1893, the city
hosted the World’s Columbian Exposition, which was visited by about half
of the then-population of the US. So while the Great Chicago fires had a
very negative immediate effect, they were able to have a very positive
long term effect.
This
event particularly stands out to me because a lot of my family lives in
Illinois, near Chicago specifically. I have visited the Windy City many
times, and am even an active fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
While the Great Chicago Fires killed many and destroyed the lives of
many still, without it Chicago may not be the major city it is today.
For that, I am grateful.
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