National Fire Prevention Week originated from the Great Chicago Fire, which took place on October 9, 1871. This great catastrophe took 300 lives, left 100,000 people homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings. Many different stories circulate about the origin of the fire. The most popular story says that Mrs. Catherine O'Leary was milking her cow and the cow kicked a nearby lantern over, setting the barn on fire and starting the awesome fire. The fire quickly ignited everything around it, burning over 2,000 acres in a little over 24 hours. The town was rebuilt within a couple of years and the people began holding a celebration of their restoration on the anniversary of the fire.

The Fire Marshals Association of North America decided that the 40th anniversary of the fire should be observed in a manner that would help people understand the importance of fire prevention. The first National Fire Prevention Day was held on October 9, 1911.

President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation in 1920. Since 1925, every president has signed the proclamation making the week in which October 9 falls National Fire Prevention Week