1805: The Great Fire of Detroit ignited when baker, John Harvey, accidentally dropped ashes from his pipe into a pile of dry hay on a hot, windy day. Despite efforts by townspeople forming bucket brigades, the flames spread rapidly, consuming the bakery and nearby barn. Thankfully, all Detroit residents managed to escape unharmed. The fire left the young city in ruins. Father Gabriel Richard penned the hopeful phrase "Speramus meliora; resurget cineribus" ("We hope for better days; it shall rise from its ashes"), which later became Detroit's motto.