July 4th 2004
Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable! ~Webster
Let The Fireworks Begin
Each year before the American Independence Day, the Fourth of July,
retailers across the nation experience a surge in fireworks sales. The
Fourth of July is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the
Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from
the Kingdom of Great Britain.
Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, barbecues,
picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events
celebrating the history and traditions of the U.S. Fireworks have been
associated with the Fourth of July since 1777.
In many states, consumer fireworks are sold for personal use or as an
alternative to a public show. Concerns about safety have led some states
to ban fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed, but illicit
traffic from less restrictive border states is common.
Some of the most famous fireworks displays include Macy's - 4th of July
Fireworks in New York (the largest in the country), Houston, and the
Boston display on the Charles River esplanade. There are also many other
spectacular displays in St. Louis, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia.
Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario host one of the largest fireworks
displays in the world over the Detroit River each year in celebration of
both American Independence Day and Canada Day during the Windsor-Detroit
International Freedom Festival.
