Understanding the Origins and Traditions of the Fourth of July Holiday

At its heart, the Fourth of July epitomizes American culture, with its festive parades, barbecues, chilled beers, and most notably, fireworks.

However, these captivating displays of pyrotechnics also make it a perilous holiday, often leading to over 10,000 emergency room visits. Nevertheless, fireworks continue to be an integral part of Independence Day, a holiday celebrated for 247 years.

Here are five interesting facts about the Fourth of July, touching on the genesis of the holiday and how fireworks became ingrained in the tradition.

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HOW DID INDEPENDENCE DAY ORIGINATE?

The holiday commemorates the unanimous endorsement of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. This document signaled the colonies’ departure from Great Britain.

The Library of Congress states that spontaneous celebrations in Philadelphia marked the first anniversary of American independence a year later.

Yet, widespread observance didn’t become standard until after the War of 1812. It quickly became popular: the Library of Congress highlights that significant 19th-century historical events like the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Erie Canal and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad were timed to coincide with Fourth of July festivities.

HOW DID FIREWORKS BECOME A FOURTH OF JULY TRADITION?

From the very beginning, pyrotechnics have played a significant role in Independence Day celebrations, something that founding father John Adams foresaw.

In a letter to his wife, Abigail, dated July 3, 1776, Adams wrote that the commemoration of America’s independence should be marked with ceremonies, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations across the continent, a tradition to be upheld from then on.

Fireworks have a history predating America’s existence by centuries. According to the American Pyrotechnics Association, many historians believe fireworks were first invented in the second century B.C. in ancient China by throwing bamboo stalks into fires, causing them to explode due to overheating air pockets.

By the 15th century, fireworks were a common feature at religious festivals and public entertainment events in Europe. Early U.S. settlers continued these traditions, says the association.

HAS A PRESIDENT EVER DECLINED TO CELEBRATE?

All U.S. Presidents from George Washington to Joe Biden have celebrated Independence Day on the Fourth of July, with one notable exception: Adams.

Despite his letter to his wife, Adams was adamant that July 2 was the actual Independence Day, as it was on this date in 1776 that the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, even though the Declaration of Independence wasn’t formally adopted until two days later.

Adams was so firm in his belief that he rejected invitations to celebrations and other events, even while serving as the nation’s second president. Intriguingly, Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, both passed away on the 50th anniversary of the document’s formal adoption, July 4, 1826.

HOW POPULAR ARE FIREWORKS?

Consumer sales of fireworks have seen exponential growth over the past two decades.

The American Pyrotechnics Association reveals that in 2000, American consumers spent $407 million on fireworks, a figure that increased to $2.3 billion by 2022. The greatest surge was during the COVID-19 pandemic, when public fireworks displays were halted, and consumer sales jumped from $1 billion in 2019 to $1.9 billion in 2020.

Julie Heckman, the executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, shared, “People started buying fireworks beginning Memorial Day weekend and they just didn’t stop. They were setting off fireworks throughout 2020. It was a surprise for the industry, to be honest.”

Sales are anticipated to increase by another $100 million this year, aided by the Fourth of July falling on a Tuesday, effectively creating a four-day weekend.

ARE FIREWORKS HAZARDOUS?

Despite numerous public safety campaigns, thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries from fireworks each year.

In a recent incident in Lexington Township, a suburb of Kansas City, Kansas, firefighters, medics, and local police rushed to a report of a burning shed with fireworks exploding inside. Four individuals were taken to hospitals, two with severe injuries.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 10,200 people were treated at emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries, and 11 deaths were attributed to fireworks in 2022. About three-quarters of these injuries occurred during the Fourth of July period.

Approximately one-third of injuries involved the head, face, ears, or eyes, with finger, hand, and leg injuries also common.

Dr. Tiffany Osborn, an emergency room physician at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, says, “I have seen people who have blown off fingers, lost eyes, and suffered significant facial injuries.”

Children under 15 constitute nearly one-third of those injured by fireworks. For young children, Osborn recommends giving glow sticks or colorful streamers as a safer alternative to sparklers, which are often responsible for burns.

For those planning to use fireworks, experts urge a safe environment away from structures, the use of a flat, hard, level surface, and refraining from alcohol. Children should never light them.

Additionally, Osborn suggests having a water source nearby to handle any fire or explosion, lighting one firework at a time, quickly moving away after ignition, and never trying to relight or handle a faulty firework. When finished, it’s advised to collect the remains, soak them, and then dispose of them safely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Fourth of July traditions

More about Fourth of July traditions

• History of Independence Day
• Fireworks Safety Tips
• John Adams and the Fourth of July
• American Pyrotechnics Association: Fireworks Sales Statistics
• Fireworks-Related Injuries Statistics