1871
The Great Chicago Fire occurred. A severe drought prepared the tinder dry scene and then southwest winds spread fire across the city. 250 people were killed and 17,000 buildings were destroyed, pushing the damage estimates to $196 million. On the same night, a forest fire roared into Peshtigo, Wisconsin, killing an estimated 1000 people.

1901
13 months after the famous Galveston, Texas hurricane disaster, area was hit by torrential rains. Nearly 12 inches fell in a 6 hour period.

1993
1.05 inches of rain fell at Columbia, Missouri on this day. Th pushed the yearly rainfall total to 55.77 inches, breaking the yearly record of 55.37 inches set back in 1985.