ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 4, 1996 TAG: 9607050011
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: HOLIDAY
Even before the signing of the declaration, fireworks have been associated with Independence Day celebrations.
As John Adams wrote on July 3, 1776, to his wife after the Continental Congress had decided to proclaim the American colonies independent of England: "The days will be the most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival ... It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade ... bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
The first firecrackers were exploded about 1,000 years ago, and their invention is credited to the Chinese, although India is also a likely source.
The sound was so loud that the Chinese were convinced the noise would scare away evil spirits, so they were set off at almost any event - births, weddings, coronations and New Years.
The Italians were the first Europeans to make fireworks. The first recorded show in England celebrated Henry VII's wedding in 1487. Elizabeth I enjoyed them so much she appointed a "Fire Master in England" to be in charge of fireworks shows.
The popularity of spectacular fireworks shows have grown, with annual Independence Day celebrations, the Macy's extravaganzas and presidential inaugurations. But none has yet topped the 1986 Fourth of July celebration and the 100th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty.
The "Statue of Liberty Centennial Fireworks Spectacular" was an international show, with fireworks from various countries including Japan, China, Australia, Brazil and Germany. Many of the fireworks were designed especially for this program and had never been seen by the world before.
The three men responsible for putting on this show are at the top of the fireworks industry: George Zambelli, president of Zambelli Internationale Inc.; Felix Grucci Jr., president of Fireworks by Grucci Inc.; and Robert Souza, president of Pyro Spectaculars of Rialto.
The trio are known to be fierce competitors but worked closely for almost a year to design the 1986 Centennial show. The Grucci family will start moving their manufacturing operation from New York to the Radford Army Ammunition Plant this fall.
Though about 1,000 years old, the fireworks tradition has yet to die down. It is believed now that more fireworks are ignited for the Fourth of July celebrations than any other national celebration in the world.
- NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FIREWORKS SAFETY INC.
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