Why We Watch Fireworks on the Fourth of July

A year later, Congress itself ordained the tradition, enjoying in Philadelphia "a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons," according to the Evening Post. The celebratory firing of muskets, artillery and other explosives was a carryover from colonial days. "What was different about it is they began to have the fireworks represent the 13 states," James Heintze, a retired librarian emeritus of American University and author of the "Fourth of July Encyclopedia," says. "The numerical symbolism became very important for the Fourth of July."

Boston also saw a fireworks display in 1777. In the following years, the tradition spread through the Boston area to New York and other cities, with various papers reporting colorful displays lighting the sky at the time.

Early Fourth of July celebrations through the 1876 centennial saw the popularization of set pieces, enormous platforms to which fireworks were attached, creating images of flags, bells and other Independence Day iconography that have lost favor since. Cities sought to outdo one another with their displays, with New York becoming the leader of fireworks celebrations, having 15 different displays throughout the city.

Pyrotechnicians – the best bringing the craft over from Italy – emerged as a profession in the early 1800s, as cities hired them to design and execute their exhibitions. This period also saw the rise of fireworks being sold to the public. By 1783, Philadelphia merchants were selling fireworks to its citizenry, including the very young, making the streets a dangerous place on the Fourth.

There have different types of fireworks: 

Enjoy the pictures....
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