The History of Fireworks

Fireworks are synonymous with Independence Day and often make appearances at select baseball stadiums to celebrate homeruns, New Year celebrations and big life events like weddings. But fireworks were used to celebrate long before July 4, 1776.

Fireworks were created during the Han Dynasty in China. The Han people, around 200 B.C., were said to roast stalks of bamboo until they were charred black and sizzling. This would suck all of the air from inside the stalks and eventually cause them to explode. Centuries later, Chinese Alchemists started filling these bamboo stalks with gunpowder, steel dust and cast iron shavings to make them sparkle during the explosion. The Chinese started using the “Baozhu,” meaning exploding bamboo in Mandarin, at Weddings and New Year Celebrations to ward off evil spirits.

After the Silk Road opened up trade, these pyrotechnics made it over to the West around the 13th Century. Historians have noted that fireworks became an official part of celebration and were even said to be used at the coronation of Anne Boleyn as the Queen of England. So, it is to no surprise they would be used to celebrate the anniversary of Independence Day.

Today, it seems fireworks have managed to hold onto their oriental roots. According to the 2016 U.S. Census Bureau, over $296 Million worth of fireworks were imported from China, which is expected to increase year after year. Not only is this tradition an expensive one but, one might argue it is the longest lasting tradition as well.

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