Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776:
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to 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.
You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.*
The next year, firework displays could be watched in many towns across the country’s first anniversary.
In the 1890s, so many untrained, inexperienced folks were setting off fireworks, the Society for the Suppression of Unnecessary Noise was formed. They lobbied for restrictions which is why most states regulate how and where fireworks may be used, as well as the types of explosives that may be purchased.
Fun Firework Facts You May Not Know:
~ Historians believe that black powder (gunpowder), the explosive ingredient in fireworks, was invented in China about A.D. 1000.
~ Because the static electricity in synthetic clothing can create sparks capable of detonating fireworks, those who make shells must stick to wearing cotton—all the way down to their underwear.
~ In public shows today, specialists use computers to both control the electronic ignition of fireworks and synchronize the aerial bursts with music.
~ Thirty years ago a typical firework display lasted an hour, while today’s shows rarely last more than 20 minutes.
~ The art of making and setting off fireworks is known as “pyrotechnics,” and firework professionals are known as “pyrotechnists” or “pyrotechnicians.”
~ Pyrotechnicians today are striving to make fireworks spell out words in the sky.
~ Your brain isn’t playing tricks on you. … You really do see the sky light up before you hear the “boom.” That’s because light travels about a million times faster than sound.
~ The dazzling colors that light up Fourth of July skies depend on the mix of metals inside the fireworks:
- Copper produces blue sparks;
- A mix of strontium salts, lithium salts and other substances makes red;
- Aluminum and titanium put the white stars in an aerial flag;
- Barium makes green;
- Calcium burns orange and sodium, yellow.
Local & Nearby Firework Displays:
PORTAGE COUNTY
Aurora Fourth of July Fireworks
July 4, 2013 at 9:45 p.m.
West Pioneer Trail ballfields
Hiram 4th of July
July 3, 2013 at 9:30 p.m.
Hiram College Football Field
Kent Heritage Festival
July 6, 2013 at 10:00 p.m.
Downtown Kent
Mogadore Road
Streetsboro
July 6, 2013 at 10 p.m.
Woodside Campground, located at 2486 Frost Road
CUYAHOGA COUNTY
Cleveland Symphony Star Spangled Spectacular
July 1, 2013 at Dusk
Downtown Cleveland
Public Square
Cleveland 4th of July Fireworks
July 4, 2013 at Dusk
Shot from where Lake Erie meets the Cuyahoga River in the Flats
Solon Independence Day Fireworks
July 4, 2013 at Dusk
Solon Community Park
6679 SOM Center Rd
GEAUGA COUNTY
Bainbridge Township –Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
July 5, 2013 6 p.m. at Dusk
River Road Park
Burton
July 4, 2013 at Dusk
Geauga County Fairgrounds
Chardon Old Glory Days
July 5, 2013 at Dusk
Between Chardon High School and Middle School
151 Chardon Ave
SUMMIT COUNTY
Akron
July 4 at 9:45 p.m.
South Main Street in front of Lock 3, Downtown Akron
Hudson
July 5, 2013 at dusk (rain date: July 6)
Barlow Farm Park – 1931 Barlow Rd.
Portage Lakes
July 6, 2013 10 p.m. (Rain Date: July 7)
Mason’s Point
*Adams Family Papers: An Electronic Archive. Massachusetts Historical Society. http://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/