6 Amazing Facts...Fireworks Have A Wild History!

With the 4th of July celebrations starting soon we're all preparing to light fuse and run before the fireworks light up the night sky. The power of a good firework is awesome and before you light that "grand finale" (usually the biggest one in your arsenal) check out these mind-blowing facts about fireworks.

1. Fireworks were invented before Jesus walked the earth! Records go back to 200 BC when the Chinese super-heated bamboo "firecracker" stalks until they exploded with a loud bang. They used this technique to scare off "abnormally large" mountain men. These were essentially the first firecrackers.

2. On July 4th in 1777, Philadelphia came alive with fireworks for the first time. The night - which was planned for months - started with a big meal, then musket fire, then fireworks. The streets were filled with revelers. Kinda like when the Eagles win the Super Bowl except less destructive.

3. This one may classify as legend more than fact but for the sake of awesomeness let's roll with it. Fireworks were discovered by accident. A Chinese chef mixed potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulphur, which he oddly had in his kitchen. This created a nifty spark show and people couldn't get enough of this magic.

4. The first recorded fireworks at a wedding was when King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York celebrated their marriage in 1486. That night fireworks lit up the sky and probably followed by fireworks in the bedchamber as well. Oh Henry, you dog.

5. The Roman Candle got it's name for a very grim reason. By order of Emperor Nero, Christians in old Rome were tied to a tree covered in flammable tar and gruesomely set ablaze. They called it a Roman Candle, but it's nothing like we know them today.

6. The largest purchaser of fireworks anywhere in the world is Disney. Each year, the house of Mouse purchases $50 million in fireworks! That's just a smidge more than my neighbor.

7. DIY fireworks are dangerous. Duh. Just don't do it. Take it from "Stubby" the 3 fingered dude who lives up the street who spends his days licking windows.

sources: Smithsonian Magazine, Chorlton Fireworks

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Gallery Credit: Danny V