Chicago Stories
The Myth of Mrs. O'Leary
Clip: 10/9/2020 | 7m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
The myth of Catherine O’Leary and her cow becomes widespread.
Catherine O’Leary and her cow become legend, cementing her place in history as a villain who burned Chicago to the ground. In the 1990s, the city of Chicago officially vindicates Catherine O’Leary.
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Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW
Leadership support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, TAWANI Foundation on behalf of...
Chicago Stories
The Myth of Mrs. O'Leary
Clip: 10/9/2020 | 7m 28sVideo has Closed Captions
Catherine O’Leary and her cow become legend, cementing her place in history as a villain who burned Chicago to the ground. In the 1990s, the city of Chicago officially vindicates Catherine O’Leary.
Problems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Chicago Stories
Chicago Stories is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Chicago Stories
WTTW premieres eight new Chicago Stories including Deadly Alliance: Leopold and Loeb, The Black Sox Scandal, Amusement Parks, The Young Lords of Lincoln Park, The Making of Playboy, When the West Side Burned, Al Capone’s Bloody Business, and House Music: A Cultural Revolution.Providing Support for PBS.org
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11 Buildings that Survived the Fire
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Explore some of the buildings that survived the Great Chicago Fire. (6m 5s)
11 Objects that Survived the Fire
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Explore some of the objects that survived the Great Chicago Fire. (4m 54s)
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After rain helps to extinguish the flames, Chicagoans take in the destruction. (3m 50s)
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The Great Chicago Fire quickly burns out of control. (3m 14s)
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Chicagoans do what they can to save their homes, their possessions, and their lives. (7m 47s)
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Chicago’s rapid growth is part of what made it so vulnerable to fire. (2m 37s)
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There was a stark contrast between how Chicago’s wealthy and its working poor lived. (6m 43s)
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The Great Chicago Fire begins in Catherine O’Leary’s barn. (4m 52s)
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After hours of battling the fire, many Chicagoans see that there is no hope. (5m 11s)
The Great Chicago Fire: Introduction by Sandra Cordova Micek
Sandra Cordova Micek provides an introduction to The Great Chicago Fire. (1m 27s)
Investigating the Cause of the Fire
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An official inquiry finds that Catherine O’Leary was not at fault for the fire. (4m 14s)
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After the Great Chicago Fire, the city quickly rebuilds. (7m 3s)
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Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW
Leadership support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by the Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust, TAWANI Foundation on behalf of...