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British stone. LOUIS (AP) — The Fourth of July is all about America at its core: parades, picnics, cold beer and, of course, fireworks.
These fireworks also make it a particularly dangerous holiday, often resulting in more than 10,000 trips to emergency rooms. Fireworks, however, remain at the center of Independence Day, a holiday that’s been 247 years in the making.
Here are five things to know about the Fourth of July, including the origins of the holiday and how fireworks became part of the tradition.
What is the origin of Independence Day?
This holiday celebrates the unanimous adoption of the Second Continental Congress declaration of independence July 4, 1776, a document announcing the independence of the colonies from Great Britain.
A year later, according to library of congressPhiladelphia spontaneously celebrates the anniversary of the independence of the United States.
But in the emerging nation, observations did not become commonplace until after the War of 1812. It quickly took off: The Library of Congress notes that major 19th-century historical events, such as the groundbreaking of the Erie and Baltimore Canals, and the Ohio Railroad’s plans to coincide with National Day celebrations.
How Fireworks Became a Fourth of July Tradition
Fireworks displays have been a big part of Independence Day since the beginning. Founding Father John Adams foresaw its coming.
In a letter, Adams wrote that the commemoration of American Independence “should be solemnized with great ceremony and procession, from now on, from one end of this continent to the other, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells , bonfires, and lights,” wrote his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776.
Fireworks have been around for centuries before America became a country.this American Pyrotechnics Association Many historians believe that fireworks were first invented in ancient China in the second century BC, when bamboo stalks were thrown into a fire and exploded due to the overheating of the hollow air bubbles.
By the 15th century, fireworks were widely used in Europe for religious festivals and public entertainment, and early settlers in the United States carried on those traditions, the society said.
Has any president refused to celebrate?
Presidents from George Washington to Joe Biden have celebrated the birth of the nation on the Fourth of July, with one exception: Adams.
Letters to his wife aside, Adams refused to celebrate the Fourth of July because he felt that July 2 was the real Independence Day. Why? On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of an independence resolution, but the Declaration of Independence was not formally adopted until two days later.
Adams was so determined that he turned down invitations to festivals and other events, even while serving as the second president of the United States. Ironically, Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the principal authors of the Declaration of Independence, both died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the document’s official adoption.
How popular are fireworks?
The consumption of fireworks has grown rapidly over the past two decades.
In 2000, American consumers spent $407 million on fireworks, according to statistics from the American Pyrotechnics Association. By 2022, this figure will increase to $2.3 billion. The biggest increase came during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public fireworks displays were shut down. Consumer sales jumped from $1 billion in 2019 to $1.9 billion in 2020.
“People have been going to fireworks shops since Memorial Day weekend, and they haven’t stopped,” said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association. Shocked the entire industry.”
The association said it expects sales to grow another $100 million this year. It helps that the Fourth of July falls on a Tuesday, which essentially creates a four-day weekend.
Are fireworks dangerous?
Despite extensive education efforts, thousands of Americans are seriously injured by fireworks each year. The CPSC reports that in 2022, 10,200 people will be treated in emergency rooms and 11 of them will die from fireworks. About three-quarters of the injuries occurred around July 4th.
About one-third of injuries occur in the head, face, ears or eyes. Injuries to the fingers, hands, and legs are also common.
“I’ve seen people blow up fingers,” said Dr. Tiffany Osborne, an emergency room physician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. “I’ve seen people who lost their eyes. I’ve seen people with severe facial injuries.”
Children under the age of 15 account for nearly a third of fireworks injuries. Fireworks are often thought to burn children under 5 years of age. Osborn recommends providing glow sticks or colorful ribbons for younger ones.
For those planning to set off fireworks, Heckman urges finding flat, hard, level surfaces away from buildings and other objects that could catch fire. Those responsible for setting off fireworks should refrain from drinking alcohol. Children should never light them.
Osborne encourages keeping buckets or hoses nearby in case of fire or explosion. Fire one at a time, walk away quickly after lighting, and never relight or dispose of malfunctioning fireworks, she said. When you’re done, scoop up the leftovers and soak them before throwing them away.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. all rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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