Fireworks

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

The 4th of July holiday is one of the rare occasions that we here in America celebrate with fireworks, and what a fitting time to use them in celebration of the birth of our nation, as we remember the great freedoms we enjoy.

But, fireworks have a unique history. The earliest documentation of fireworks date back to the 7th century, in China, where they were first used to frighten away evil spirits, with their loud sounds. The Chinese would ignite the first fireworks and then pray for happiness and prosperity. And, eventually the manufacturing and crafting of fireworks developed into its own independent profession in China. Pyrotechnicians, or "fireworks-masters" were well-respected members of society, for their knowledge and skills of handling the explosives and crafting them into magnificient, dazzling displays of light and sound. Makers competed against one another to craft the most spectacular images in the sky.

 

 

 

However, the first fireworks were reserved for the Chinese royalty who could afford them and the common people were relegated to only watch them from a distance, creating a mystique about their use and operation. But, by the 14th Century, during the Ming Dynasty, the use of fireworks became more common among the people, as they used them to celebrate special occasions such as weddings, births of children, business openings, and New Year's celebrations.

Amedee-Francois Frezier published a "Tretise on Fireworks" in the year 1706, that soon became "the bible" on the use of fireworks. He covered the aspects of recreational and ceremonial uses of the explosives, rather than their military use, which had also become an added use of them. Then, in 1749, George Frideric Handel, composed Music for the Royal Fireworks, to celebrate the peace Treaty of Aix-la-Chapell, which had been signed the previous year, adding a new dimension of music to fireworks shows.

 

 

 

The most common feature of fireworks is a paper or pasteboard tube or casing that is filled with the combustible material (a form of gunpowder) offering pyrotechnic stars. A number of these tubes or cases are often combined so as to make a variety of sparkling shapes, as they advance into the air. A variety of compounds are combined to make the various colors that the spectators see.....including: strontium and lithium (red), calcium (to produce organge), sodium (yellow), barium (green), copper halides (blue), cesium (indigo), potassium and rubidium (violet), charcoal, iron, and lampblack (to produce gold color); and titanium, aluminum, beryllium and magnesium powders, to produce the color white.

 

 

 

 

Many, many cities and towns in the U.S. host their own fireworks shows on the 4th of July, just like Sulphur Springs. However, in Ireland the major shows are hosted on Halloweeen, and other countries have their bigger shows to celebrate the New Year's Holiday, and welcome the coming of a new year.

Meanwhile there are a number of special effects that are produced during fireworks shows. As you watch tonight's show in downtown Sulphur Springs, following the 7:45 Symphony Concert, see if you can detect any of these effects in the show....crysanthemums, peonies, dahlia, willow, palm, rings, spiders, horsetails, time rain, diadem, and the "Kamuro," or "boy's haircut" feature which is described as a burst of glittering stars in silver or gold, that leaves a heavy, narrow glitter trail in the sky!

Enjoy the 4th of July holiday and Saturday night's Fireworks Show and Symphony presented complements of Alliance Bank, Circle E Western Store, and Grocery Supply Company. Thank these sponsors, when you see them on the street or as you patronized their businesses!

 

 

 

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