Because we can never get enough “fireworks” talk around the Fourth of July, here are some interesting fireworks facts to enjoy and share with your friends and family:
- Macy’s department store in New York City claims to hold the world’s largest fireworks display. Every year at 9 p.m. on July 4, four barges in the East River, set just between 23rd and 42nd streets, set off 20,000 aerial shells and special effects. The New York Fire Department also operates “fire boats” on the river that shoot red, clear and blue water 300 feet into the air.
- This American tradition has much older roots than most people know, but actually didn’t originate in America at all. In fact, it’s said that the first fireworks came from China in the 800s, when bamboo shoots were filled with gunpowder and set off at the New Year to ward off evil spirits.
- In 2008, Americans used over 213 million pounds of fireworks, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) — about 186 million pounds were used by consumers, and 27 million pounds for displays.
- The U.S. fireworks industry brought in $940 million in revenues in 2008, up from $350 million in 1997, according to APA.
- The legal limit of explosive material allowed in a consumer firework is 50 mg (about the size of half an aspirin tablet), according to APA. Any item containing more than 50 mg is illegal.
- The dazzling displays of color during fireworks occur because of different chemicals added to the gunpowder. According to APA, the marks of an expert pyrotechnician are deep blues and white bursts … so keep an eye out for those during your Fourth of July fireworks show!
