Since as far back as you can remember, Independence Day celebrations and fireworks were usually synonymous. While fireworks are a fun, festive, and stunning tradition, do you know how it originated? We can thank our Founding Fathers for this one.

It started in a letter from John Adams to his wife in which he stated that the signing of the Declaration of Independence should be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.” A year later, Congress ordained the tradition and enjoyed a fireworks display in Philadelphia, “which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons,” according to The Evening Post.

Aside from Philadelphia, Boston also celebrated with fireworks in 1777. As each year passed, the fireworks tradition spread throughout Boston and New York and various other cities.

Time went on and displays became more extravagant, with large platforms, the creation of festive images with fireworks, and more. These displays became an unspoken competition between cities, with New York coming out ahead (they held 15 different displays throughout the city).

In the early 1800s, pyrotechnicians became a popular profession and many were hired to create and execute cities’ fireworks displays. During this time, fireworks were also being sold to the public, even small children, which made the holiday especially dangerous. This practice was also brought to the West, where dynamite was used instead of traditional fireworks to illuminate the sky.

It wasn’t until the early 1900s that dangers of fireworks were brought to the forefront. Casualties began to be tracked and restrictions on fireworks were slowly introduced. More focus has been put on public displays, with exuberance varying through the years thanks to fiscal allowances.

Many associate fireworks with the lyrics in our National Anthem, and cherish their significance, dating back to the first Independence Day. Now, when you look up at the fireworks this Independence Day, you have a better understanding of what this display means to our history.

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Please enjoy a safe and happy Fourth of July holiday weekend, from your friends at Startechtel.com!

Tags: 4th of july, Holidays, independence day