Today is the 127th anniversary of the starting of the Great Chicago Fire.

The Great Chicago Fire was a conflagration that burned from Sunday October 8 to early Tuesday October 10, 1871, killing hundreds and destroying about four square miles in Chicago, Illinois. Though the fire was one of the largest U.S. disasters of the 19th century, the rebuilding that began almost immediately spurred Chicago’s development into one of the most populous and economically important American cities.

On the municipal flag of Chicago, the second star commemorates the fire.

While the blaze stopped just over a mile south of where I live today, it left 1/3rd of the city (100,000 people) homeless and destroyed the central business district. It also serves as a reminder that whatever our individual efforts at mitigating risk, there are always going to be risks which are beyond our ability to do anything about but to transfer or accept.

Luckily, cows are no longer permitted in the city proper. Lincoln Park Zoo excepted of course.

I should also note that the cow was officially exonerated of responsibility in either 1997 or 1998, according to the Great Fire exhibit at the Chicago Historical Society.

I knew of that exoneration, but didn’t want to let it stand in the way of a bad joke. However, I would have put it at 3-4 years ago. Remember when summer vacation seemed to last a long time?

Off to watch Matlock.