Fireworks are nearly always a key part of 4th of July activities, (in Manchester, TN) — but ask most people if they know where this tradition began, and they may not know the answer.
The vision for the celebratory tradition dates to 1776.
That is when then-future second President John Adams imagined — in a letter to his wife, Abigail — that a sparkling sky would honor the soon-to-be independent 13 colonies every year from that point onward.
Most people don’t know where the tradition of fireworks on the Fourth of July began – but it is almost always a major part of the event.
The tradition dates to 1776 when the vision for it was conceived.
That is when then-future second President John Adams imagined — in a letter to his wife, Abigail — that a sparkling sky would honor the soon-to-be independent 13 colonies every year from that point onward.
According to the man who became the second president of the United States, on July 3, 1776, I am inclined to believe it will be a memorable anniversary celebration for successive generations.”
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, delegates to the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
A formal pyrotechnics display would not light up the sky for another year, according to History.com, even though some public readings of the Declaration of Independence were greeted with “impromptu celebrations” on July 8.
Independence Day was celebrated in Philadelphia for the first time in 1777 with patriotic revelry and a spectacular fireworks display.
“The evening was closed with the ringing of bells … and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with 13 rockets) on the Commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated,” reported the Pennsylvania Evening Post.
July 4, 1777 was also a day for major Boston fireworks displays.
Since 1783, the Farmer’s Almanac reports, fireworks have been available for public purchase.
The American Pyrotechnics Association predicts that nearly $2.3 billion will be spent this year on Fourth of July fireworks, according to an article published by MarketWatch in 2017. Yet, that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone will go and light off fireworks.
It will be a dark Fourth of July for some western cities again this year due to the cancellation of major fireworks displays for 2022.
During dry weather, some displays were called off, while others were canceled due to staffing and supply issues associated with the pandemic.
The Associated Press reported that Phoenix, Arizona, cancelled its three major celebrations because it couldn’t buy professional fireworks.
Several other cities are still scheduled to host shows.
Because of shipping, transportation in the U.S., rising insurance costs, and labor shortages, it was also noted that many fireworks shows were canceled during the first two years of the pandemic due to the need for fireworks at concerts, sports stadiums, and other Fourth of July celebrations.
Local jurisdictions have banned fireworks due to a drought, even though flooding has already occurred in the Southwest due to excessive rainfall, according to AP news.
National forests always prohibit fireworks. Fireworks that are aimed at consumers, including bottle rockets, firecrackers, sparklers, and ground-level fountains, will cost more.
According to the American Pyrotechnic Association, costs have increased 35% across the industry.
Be safe and always enjoy Freedom responsibly :}.
Editor In Chief: For Daily News- Jonathon M. Poe
Jonathon M. Poe 