The Great Chicago Fire: Key Events

The video explores Chicago's rapid growth in the 1840s-1850s, leading to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. It discusses the fire's devastation, rumors about its cause, and the investigation that followed. The narrative includes the legend of Mrs. O'Leary's cow and the eventual exoneration of the O'Leary family. The video also covers Chicago's rebuilding efforts, which led to significant economic growth and the development of skyscrapers, solidifying its status as a major city.

In the 1840s, what was Chicago known for?

• Being the capital of the United States

• Being a boomtown with significant growth

• Having a population of nearly three million

• Being the most populous city in the US

What major event occurred in Chicago from October 8 to October 10, 1871?

• The construction of the first skyscraper

• The signing of a peace treaty

• The opening of the first railroad

• The Great Chicago Fire

What was a significant factor in the spread of the Great Chicago Fire?

• The city's concrete roads

• The city's wooden structures

• The city's metal infrastructure

• The city's stone buildings

What was one of the rumored causes of the Great Chicago Fire?

• A cow kicking over a lantern

• A faulty electrical wire

• A lightning strike

• A meteor shower

Who was the first to alert the O'Leary family about the fire?

• A family member

• A passing firefighter

• A neighbor named Daniel Sullivan

• A local newspaper reporter

What was the impact of the fire on the O'Leary family's property?

• Their house was completely destroyed

• Their house miraculously survived

• They moved to a new city

• They rebuilt their barn immediately

What was one of the reasons the O'Leary family faced rumors after the fire?

• They left the city immediately

• They confessed to starting the fire

• Their house was untouched by the flames

• They were seen starting the fire

What was one of the theories about the true origin of the Great Chicago Fire?

• A gas leak

• A lightning storm

• A volcanic eruption

• A meteor splitting into pieces

What did the Chicago City Council do in 1997 regarding Mrs. O'Leary?

• They ignored the case

• They fined her family

• They built a monument in her honor

• They exonerated her and her cow

What was a major outcome of the rebuilding efforts after the fire?

• Chicago developed some of the world's first skyscrapers

• Chicago's population decreased

• Chicago's economy collapsed

• Chicago became a small town