Final answer:
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871, an event that devastated Chicago, is often attributed to a cow knocking over a lantern, but the true cause remains unknown.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was one of the most catastrophic events in the city's history. Although the exact cause of the fire is unknown, a popular legend attributes it to a cow knocking over a lantern. This scenario has been immortalized in stories, but the truth may never be fully known. Regardless of the initial cause, the city's wooden buildings and close quarters created an environment ripe for disaster. The fire started on the evening of October 8 and burned for two full days, leaving a vast path of destruction, including the entire central business district, making it a defining event in Chicago's history.