On February 7, 1904, a fire broke out in a basement on the corner of Liberty and German Streets, set off by a discarded cigar. Over the course of the next 3 days, the fire destroyed 1,500 buildings and 86 city blocks. Loss of life: zero (or maybe one).

You were one of the biggest fires in American history, but did Willard Scott think to mention your birthday? No. Did The New York Times? No. Or even (gasp!) The Washington Post? No. But Washington, I thought we were one big happy consolidated market? Screw you Washington, we didn't want to share an Olympics with you anyway.

Other Baltimore Fire links:

Panoramic photo of the aftermath [via the Library of Congress]
Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Sun Graphics

In vaguely related but not really news, October 8, 2004 has been announced as the release date for Ladder 49, the big budget, Baltimore set, Hollywood disaster bru ha ha, starring John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix. Didn't they film that movie, like, a year ago? What's taking so long?

Other Birthdays today:

Actor James Spader is 44. Country singer Garth Brooks is 42. Rock musician David Bryan (Bon Jovi) is 42. Comedian Eddie Izzard is 42. Actor-comedian Chris Rock is 38. Actor Ashton Kutcher is 26. [via The Associated Press]