International Firefighters Day – May 4

Before we had fancy lighters and emergency fire-starting tools, humans had to get creative to make fire.

Matchstick Invention: In 1826, a British chemist named John Walker accidentally created the first friction match. He called it a “lucifer,” which sounds cooler than it should.

Invention of the Lighter: A few years earlier in 1823, a German chemist named Johann Döbereiner made something called Döbereiner’s Lamp. It was basically a high-tech lighter for its time—though a little explosive, which is less than ideal for a pocket tool.

Thanks to these inventions, lighting a fire became easier. But it also meant more accidental fires, which means... more firefighters needed!

Some fires have literally shaped history—and firefighting. Let’s talk about two of them.

In 1871, a fire tore through Chicago for two straight days. It destroyed homes, businesses, and reshaped the city forever. Legend says a cow knocked over a lantern and started it all—but let’s be honest, that cow has probably taken more heat than it deserves.

This fire led to big changes in building materials and city planning. It also made people realize that firefighting wasn’t just important—it was essential.

Fast forward to today, and you’ve probably heard about the massive wildfires in California. These fires are a terrifying mix of climate change, dry landscapes, and unpredictable winds.

Modern firefighters now need advanced training, better tools, and sometimes even helicopters to tackle these blazes. It’s intense—and it makes International Firefighters Day feel even more important.