Everyone enjoys the 4th of July, the colors the lighting up of the skies the big booms, the music that sometimes accompanies them; but have you ever stopped and wondered how it all got started?
Though no one knows for sure their exact date of origin historians believe that the very first pyrotechnic composition was discovered in China sometime around 600-900 A.D. during the Sui and Tang dynasties. The Chinese developed huo yao, the "fire chemical" or "fire drug" and soon after the firecracker was born. Back then firecrackers were most likely made of chunks of green Bamboo and used to scare away evil spirits because they were so loud but they were also used to pray for happiness and prosperity. Before the Ming Dynasty fireworks had been for royalty and the rich only but during the Ming Dynasty they became obtainable for any occasion, a birth, a wedding, a business opening, or a New Year's Eve celebration. To this day China is the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world.
Settlers brought fireworks over to the Americas around the 1600s and the very first 4th of July celebration and fireworks display was in 1777. Many of our major cities today still have huge fireworks displays to celebrate our nation's birthday. Some of the big celebrations include Boston which has a big concert with the Boston Pops Orchestra, Philadelphia, as you'd imagine pulls out all the stops and Washington D.C. goes pretty big too. Another fabulous place to celebrate the 4th is Mount Rushmore; they have a dazzling display that takes place over the Memorial, I'm sure it's quite the experience. Here in Florida we celebrate the 4th of July on the beach and over our many waterways, it's a great place to be with your family and friends. Fireworks take many forms to produce the four primary effects: noise, light, smoke, and floating materials. They may be designed to burn with colored flames and sparks that include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and silver.
So now you know and wherever you are this year enjoy - Happy Birthday America!
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