Legend has it that fireworks, like many great inventions, happened by accident. Some speculate that a Chinese cook may have made the discovery by mixing charcoal and saltpeter.
Others credit early villagers who realized that burning bamboo made a loud popping sound and was used to ward off evil spirits. Later, the mixture of charcoal, saltpeter, and other substances were packed into the bamboo, and fireworks were born. China continues to produce and export more fireworks than any other country.
Throughout history, these noise makers have been used to celebrate military victories, festivities, and even weddings. Henry VII used firework displays to celebrate his wedding in 1486. In 1685, James II’s royal fire master presented a dazzling presentation for the king’s coronation. Czar Peter the Great of Russia even arranged a five-hour extravaganza to mark the birth of his son.
Europeans brought their knowledge of fireworks to the New World and Captain John Smith set off the first display in Jamestown in 1608. In 1776, John Adams is said to have been the person instrumental in making fireworks an American tradition on July 4th.
Adams said that such a great endeavor should be filled with “bonfires and illuminations [a term for fireworks] from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.” The first official July 4th fireworks show was held one year later, in 1777, celebrating the one-year anniversary of our great country, and the only color fireworks were available in at the time was orange.
In the 1830s, it was the Italians who became the first to add small amounts of metals and other additives, creating the bright, multicolored sparks seen in fireworks shows today. As technology has progressed, so has the fireworks industry, creating jaw-dropping displays.
The Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc. or PGI, founded in 1969, is an independent worldwide nonprofit organization of amateur and professional fireworks enthusiasts. It is notable for its large number of members, around 3,500 in total. The PGI exists solely to further the safe usage and enjoyment of both professional grade and consumer grade fireworks while both advancing the art and craft of pyrotechnics and preserving its historical aspects.
Each August, the PGI conducts its annual weeklong convention, where some the world's biggest and best fireworks display occur. Vendors, competitors, and club members come from all over the US and from various parts of the globe to enjoy the show and to help at this all-volunteer event.
Aside from the nightly firework shows, the competition is a highlight of the convention. This is a completely unique event where individual classes of handbuilt fireworks are competitively judged, ranging from simple fireworks rockets to extremely large and complex aerial shells.
Some of the biggest, best, most intricate fireworks display in the United States take place during the convention week. So, sit back and appreciate the years of hard work and invention and enjoy the show. Here is a great fourth of July dessert recipe.
Strawberry pie
Ingredients
1-quart fresh strawberries, hulled
1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked
1 cup white sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
¾ cup water
½ cup heavy whipping cream
Directions:
Arrange 1/2 of strawberries in baked pastry shell. Place remaining strawberries in a medium saucepan. Add sugar to the strawberries in the saucepan; place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Whisk cornstarch and water together in a small bowl. Gradually stir cornstarch mixture into boiling strawberry mixture. Reduce heat and simmer mixture until thickened, about 10 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour cooked strawberry mixture over berries in pastry shell. Refrigerate until chilled and set, at least 3 hours. Before serving, whip cream in a medium bowl until soft peaks form. Serve each slice of pie with a dollop of whipped cream.