Chicago is no stranger to fires. After the Chicago Fire of 1871 burned a large portion of the city, much attention was paid to the construction of new buildings.

The Iroquois Theater was billed as being fire proof, much the way the Titanic was said to be unsinkable.

This new venue, a school holiday, a star performer, improved weather conditions, and the celebratory feel of the next day being New Year’s Eve merged to create one of the most horrific events in Chicago’s history.

There are many web sites with information about this tragedy. The Eastland Memorial web site lists the names of the 600+ victims of the fire. It may surprise you to learn how many of the injured or killed were visitors from outside the Chicago area.