Great Chicago Fire Blamed on The Legend of a Cow and Lantern - This Day in History – Oct 8th

Back in 1871, Chicago had one of the most devastating and yet historic fires of its time.  This Great Chicago Fire caused a two-day blaze, cost property damage of $200 million. The death toll reached between 200 to 300 people and left 100,000 people homeless.

The legend of this fire places the blame on a cow kicking over a lantern in a barn.

The barn was identified as the Chicago’s O’Leary Barn owned by Patrick and Catherine O’Leary. 

Other theories have ranged due to dry weather with a combination of numerous wooden buildings and meteorites.

According to history.com, “In 1997, the Chicago City Council exonerated Mrs. O'Leary and her cow. She turned into a recluse after the fire, and died in 1895.”

The location of the O'Leary Barn is now The Chicago Fire Department Academy.

Actor, Screenwriter and Producer, Matt Damon is born

Back in 1970, Cambridge, MA welcomed the birth of future actor, Matt Damon.  Mr. Damon would later win an Academy Award for best Screenplay for the movie, Good Will Hunting with his pal and fellow actor and director Ben Affleck.

Mr. Damon would has also starred in other popular moves including: 

• Saving Private Ryan,
• The Talented Mr. Ripley
• Oceans 11, 12 and 13
• The Departed
• Hereafter
• The Bourne Supremacy Movies

According to history.com, “Damon, who was named People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive” in 2007, has been married to Luciana Bozan Barroso since 2005. The couple has three daughters, including one from Barroso’s first marriage.”

All History facts provided from the link below: 

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/matt-damon-born?catId=12