Bettmann Archive / Getty Images Published: May 29, 2024 Last Updated: May 27, 2025
On June 6, 1889, a fire ignites in a Seattle woodworking shop and sweeps through some 100 acres, destroying much of the city’s business district and waterfront. The Great Seattle Fire culminates in losses estimated at $20 million—and serves as a turning point in the city’s history.
The fire started shortly after 2:30 p.m. when a pot of heated glue at Victor Clairmont’s woodworking shop in the Pontius Building on Front Street (now First Avenue) and Madison Avenue burst into flames. The blaze raced across the floor, which was covered in the highly combustible mix of wood shavings and turpentine. The fire quickly engulfed the wood-frame building, spread to the neighboring Dietz & Mayer Liquor Store, and—now fueled by alcohol—tore in all directions.
The majestic Frye Opera House, then the most expensive building erected in the city, was in ruins within hours. In less than a day, the fire swept through the city’s downtown, consuming nearly everything along its path, including mills, warehouses, piers, and hundreds of businesses.
In 1872, Susan B. Anthony Was Arrested for Voting ‘Unlawfully’
June 6, 1872 – Pioneering feminist Susan B. Anthony was fined for voting in a presidential election at Rochester, New York. After voting rights had been granted to African American males by the 15th Amendment, she attempted to extend the same rights to women. She led a group of women that voted illegally, to test their status as citizens. She was arrested, tried and sentenced to pay $100, which she refused. Following her death in 1906 after five decades of tireless work, the Democratic and Republican parties both endorsed women’s right to vote. In August of 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was finally ratified, allowing women to vote.
A detailed microscopic image showing the spherical hantavirus with surface spikes
The Andes virus is the only hantavirus known to spread person-to-person and can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome — a severe, potentially fatal lung disease. US passengers from the affected vessel have been repatriated to a specialized Nebraska med facility
The CDC has issued urgent back-to-back Health Alert Network advisories warning clinicians and public health departments in all 50 states about a cluster of Andes hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
The CDC is monitoring air travel contacts of confirmed cases across multiple states.
Officials say overall public risk remains low, but recommend immediate clinical vigilance nationwide.
Be a Seed for Change 
You must be logged in to post a comment.