Catherine O'Leary

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/catherine-o-leary

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Catherine O'Leary born?March 1827
2. Where was Catherine O'Leary born?Ireland
3. When did Catherine O'Leary die?July 3, 1895
4. Who was Catherine O'Leary?Catherine O'Leary was an Irish immigrant who moved to Chicago with her husband Patrick and their children. She lived in a small house on DeKoven Street and worked hard to support her family.
5. Did Catherine's cow really start the Great Chicago Fire?The story says the cow knocked over a lantern, but historians believe this is probably not true. The fire likely began from another source, like a spark from a cigar or a gas lamp.

Great Chicago Fire: A catastrophic urban fire in 1871 that destroyed a significant portion of Chicago, leading to extensive rebuilding and modernization.
Immigrant: An individual who leaves their country of origin to settle permanently in another nation.
Urban Conflagration: A large and destructive fire that spreads rapidly through a city or built-up area.
Historical Scrutiny: The careful and critical examination of historical accounts and evidence to determine their accuracy and validity.