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Today in History: Great Fire of Smyrna Extinguished After Nine Days

9/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The great fire of Smyrna, which began on September 13, 1922, was largely extinguished on September 22. The blaze followed the Turkish military's capture of the city, marking the end of the Greco-Turkish War. Eyewitness accounts estimate that between 10,000 and 125,000 Greek and Armenian lives were lost in the devastation.

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Story summary

The great fire of Smyrna, which began on September 13, 1922, was largely extinguished on September 22. The blaze followed the Turkish military's capture of the city, marking the end of the Greco-Turkish War. Eyewitness accounts estimate that between 10,000 and 125,000 Greek and Armenian lives were lost in the devastation.