Thursday, March 28th, 2024

A Brief History of July 4th Fireworks Story


A BRIEF HISTORY OF JULY 4TH FIREWORKS

by Rob Lauer



Next to flying the U.S. flag, nothing is more associated with the Fourth of July than fireworks.

There were no fireworks in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. The city's patriots celebrated their independence with their own brand of pyrotechnic displays-burning images of King George III in effigy, followed by mock funerals for the British monarch symbolizing the end of his control over America.

Though no actual fireworks were ignited on that day, the roots of the tradition were planted by John Adams one day earlier in a letter he penned to his wife, Abigail.

Believing the day would be "the most memorable Epocha in the history of America," Adams wrote, "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary festival...It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and Illuminations from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more."

Adams' "illuminations" were part of Philadelphia's first Independence Day celebration held one year later, on July 4, 1777-even as the Revolutionary War raged on. The Pennsylvania Evening Post reported: "At night, there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated." That same night, the Sons of Liberty set off fireworks over Boston Common.

This year, fireworks will fill the night sky above the Elizabeth River between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Yorktown's York River, Smithfield's Pagan River, on the green in front of the Governor's Palace in Colonial Williamsburg, and in cities nationwide.

Just as John Adams envisioned, fireworks now illuminate Fourth of July celebrations "from one end of this continent to the other."




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