A fireworks event (fireworks display, fireworks show) is a spectacular display of the effects produced by firework devices on various occasions. Fireworks competitions are also regularly held at a number of places. Several fireworks bursting Fireworks are classified as low explosive devices and form a distinct variety of pyrotechnics, whose definition also generally includes devices for military and industrial use. ...

History of fireworks

An etching of the 'Royal Fireworks' display on the Thames in 1749.

The World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot during IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, the nightly fireworks show

In the Han Dynasty (206–220 BC) firecrackers were made by roasting bamboo to produce the loud sound (known as "bian pao") that was intended to frighten evil spirits. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties (AD 420–581) the firecrackers were used not only used to dispel evil but also to pray for happiness and prosperity. Hand coloured etching showing the Royal Fire-workes and Illuminations in Whitehall and on the River Thames on Monday 15 May 1749. ... Hand coloured etching showing the Royal Fire-workes and Illuminations in Whitehall and on the River Thames on Monday 15 May 1749. ... Length 346 km Elevation of the source 110 m Average discharge  ? m³/s Area watershed 12935 km² Origin Kemble Mouth North Sea Basin countries England This article is about the River Thames in southern England. ... Events While in debtors prison, John Cleland writes Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure). ... Download high resolution version (1280x960, 261 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1280x960, 261 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Spaceship Earth, as seen from outside the vistors entrance. ... Han commanderies and kingdoms AD 2. ... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC - 200s BC - 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC Years: 211 BC 210 BC 209 BC 208 BC 207 BC - 206 BC - 205 BC 204 BC... Centuries: 4th century BC - 3rd century BC - 2nd century BC Decades: 270s BC 260s BC 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC - 220s BC - 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC Years: 225 BC 224 BC 223 BC 222 BC 221 BC - 220 BC - 219 BC 218 BC... Genera Many, see text Bamboos are a group of woody perennial evergreen plants in the grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae. ... The Northern Dynasties (北朝 bei3 zhao1) included Northern Wei Dynasty, Eastern Wei Dynasty, Western Wei Dynasty, Northern Qi Dynasty, Northern Zhou Dynasty. ... The Southern dynasties 南朝 (nanchao in pinyin: nan2 chao2) include Song Dynasty, Qi Dynasty, Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty whose capital were all at Jiankang See also:Chinese history, Southern and Northern Dynasty, Chinese sovereign ... For other uses, see number 420. ... Events The Sui Dynasty replaces the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the last of the Northern Dynasties in China. ...

The discovery of gunpowder and the invention of the first true fireworks are traditionally credited to the Chinese, although India is also a likely source. Some scholars believe fireworks were developed in the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581–907), but others believe there were no fireworks until the Northern Song Dynasty (10th century). Gunpowder is a substance which burns very rapidly and is used as a propellant in firearms. ... The Sui Dynasty (隋朝 Hanyu Pinyin: Suí, 581-618) followed the Southern and Northern Dynasties and preceded the Tang Dynasty in China. ... Tang Dynasty (唐朝 618-907) followed the Sui Dynasty and preceded the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period in China. ... Events The Sui Dynasty replaces the Northern Zhou Dynasty, the last of the Northern Dynasties in China. ... Events Oleg leads Kievan Rus in a campaign against Constantinople Yelü Abaoji establishes Liao (Khitan) dynasty Births Deaths Categories: 907 ... Alternative meaning: Song Dynasty (420-479) The Song dynasty (Chinese: 宋朝) was a ruling dynasty in China from 960-1279. ... ( 9th century - 10th century - 11th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 10th century was that century which lasted from 901 to 1000. ...

Since then, any event—a birth, death, wedding, coronation, or New Year's Eve celebration—has become a fitting occasion for noisemakers. Newborn with suctioning and umbilical cord Childbirth (also called labour, birth, or parturition) is the culmination of pregnancy, the emergence of a child from its mothers uterus. ... Death is either the cessation of life in a living organism or the state of the organism after that event. ... This article is about the marriage ceremony. ... The coronation of Empress Farah, of Iran, 1968. ... New Years Eve is a celebration held the day before New Years Day, on December 31, the final day of the year. ... See Firecracker (album) for information on the Lisa Loeb album. ...

Musick for the Royal Fireworks was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1749 to celebrate the peace of Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which had been declared the previous year. George Frideric Handel (German Georg Friedrich Händel), (February 23, 1685 – April 14, 1759) was a German Baroque music composer who lived much of his life in England. ... Events While in debtors prison, John Cleland writes Fanny Hill (Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure). ... There were two Treaties of Aix-la-Chapelle. ...

America's earliest settlers brought their enthusiasm for fireworks to the United States. Fireworks and black powder were used to celebrate important events long before the American Revolutionary War. The very first celebrations of Independence Day were in 1777, six years before Americans knew whether the new nation would survive the war; fireworks were a part of those festivities. In 1789, George Washington's inauguration was also accompanied by a fireworks display. This early fascination with their noise and color continues today. Black powder is a type of gunpowder invented in the 9th Century and practically the only propellant and explosive known until the middle of the 19th Century. ... The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a war fought primarily between Great Britain and revolutionaries within thirteen of her North American colonies. ... These fireworks over the Washington Monument are typical of Fourth of July celebrations In the United States, Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. ... 1777 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Order: 1st President Vice President: John Adams Term of office: April 30, 1789 – March 3, 1797 Preceded by: None Succeeded by: John Adams Date of birth: February 22, 1732 Place of birth: Westmoreland, Virginia Date of death: December 14, 1799 Place of death: Mount Vernon, Virginia First Lady: Martha Washington...

In 2004, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, started using air burst fireworks launched with compressed air rather than black powder, the first time that such a launch system was used commercially. The display charge is detonated using an electronic timer. The advantages of compressed air launch are a reduction in fumes, and much greater accuracy in height and timing. 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Disneyland is a theme park at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. ... Anaheim is a city in Orange County, Southern California, located 6 miles (15km) northwest of Downtown Santa Ana. ... A gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ...

Today, the world's most prominent industry competition for fireworks manufacturers is Le Mondial SAQ in Montreal. Formerly known as lInternational Benson & Hedges, le Mondial SAQ, or Coupe du Monde SAQ (SAQ World Cup) is the most important international fireworks competition. ... {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Concordia Salus (Salvation through harmony) Ville de Montréal, Québec, Canada Location. ...

Fireworks events

Bonfire night in Britain

In 1605 Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the British Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars of Westminster Hall. On 5 November, Fawkes was arrested and Parliament was saved. That night is now celebrated as bonfire night by filling the sky with exploding fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire. Events April 13 - Tsar Boris Godunow dies - Feodor II accedes to the throne May 16 - Paul V becomes Pope June 1 - Russian troops in Moscow imprison Feodor II and his mother. ... Guy Fawkes Guido Fawkes (April 13, 1570—January 31, 1606), most commonly called Guy Fawkes and sometimes rendered as Faukes, who also used the pseudonym John Johnson, was a member of a group of Roman Catholic conspirators who attempted to assassinate King James I and all the members of both... The debating chamber or hemicycle of the European Parliament in Brussels. ... Gunpowder is a substance which burns very rapidly and is used as a propellant in firearms. ... Clock Tower and New Palace Yard from the west The Palace of Westminster, on the banks of the River Thames in Westminster, London, is the home of the House of Commons and the House of Lords, which form the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... November 5 is the 309th day of the year (310th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 56 days remaining. ... Bonfire Night can refer to a number of occasions: St. ... A bonfire or balefire is a large controlled outdoor fire made from bales of straw or wood. ...

Remember, remember the fifth of November.

Gunpowder, treason and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.

– a children's rhyme about the events, still spoken today

Licensing for firework sellers has recently been introduced in the United Kingdom. Fireworks cannot be sold to people under the age of 18 and setting them off between 11pm and 7am is only allowed at specific times of the year, including New Year and Bonfire night. This page deals with the annual event. ...

Independence Day in the United States

Fireworks are a popular part of the United States' Independence Day celebrations. These are going off over the Washington Monument.

Each year before the American Independence Day, the Fourth of July, retail fireworks stands spring up around the nation in states that do not severely restrict or outright ban all fireworks for safety reasons (such as Nevada). Popular types of legal use-at-home fireworks include: Download high resolution version (600x900, 98 KB)Fourth of July fireworks. ... Download high resolution version (600x900, 98 KB)Fourth of July fireworks. ... These fireworks over the Washington Monument are typical of Fourth of July celebrations In the United States, Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. ... Washington Monument The Washington Monument is a large white-colored obelisk in the center of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built as a memorial to George Washington, the first President of the United States and the leader of the revolutionary Continental Army, which won independence from the British... These fireworks over the Washington Monument are typical of Fourth of July celebrations In the United States, Independence Day, also called the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. ... State nickname: Silver State, Battle Born State (official) Other U.S. States Capital Carson City Largest city Las Vegas Governor Kenny Guinn Official languages None Area 286,367 km² (7th)  - Land 284,396 km²  - Water 1,971 km² (0. ...

• Roman candles
• Fountain batteries
• Sparklers
• "Snakes" (turn to ash)
• Saturn missile batteries
• Smoke bombs (not an actual explosive)

Note that South Carolina sells slightly more explosive fireworks in addition to these popular types; these are usually referred to as "firecrackers". Interestingly, South Carolina also sells fireworks at stands year-round. This article is about the type of fireworks. ... Categories: Stub | Fireworks ... A Saturn Missile Battery is a popular consumer fireworks device that launches small, self-propelled whistling projectiles into the air, which explode at their maximum altitude. ... Smoke bombs are a firework designed to produce colored smoke upon ignition. ... State nickname: Palmetto State Other U.S. States Capital Columbia Largest city Columbia Governor Mark Sanford Official languages English Area 82,965 km² (40th)  - Land 78,051 km²  - Water 4,915 km² (6%) Population (2000)  - Population 4,012,012 (26th)  - Density 51. ... See Firecracker (album) for information on the Lisa Loeb album. ...

Because of the hodge-podge of different regulations in the various U.S. states, many towns at or near state borders set up shop in order to attract customers from areas where fireworks are restricted. A similar situation can happen with Native American tribes that have reservation lands. They often sell firecrackers that are not legal for sale outside of the reservation. Such firecracker types include, but are not limited to: Native Americans (also Indians, Aboriginal Peoples, American Indians, First Nations, Alaskan Natives, Amerindians, or Indigenous Peoples of America) are the indigenous inhabitants of The Americas prior to the European colonization, and their modern descendants. ...

• Cherry bombs
• M-80 firecrackers
• M-100 firecrackers
• M-1000 firecrackers
• "Black cat" rolls
• Mortar tubes
• Bottle rockets

Note that actual ownership or sale of true cherry bombs, M-80 style salutes, or any firecracker in excess of 50 milligrams of powder is a violation of federal law (1966 Child Protection Act). Native Americans, like any other U.S. citizen, are not exempt from federal law. However, 50 mg of powder is likely more than is used even in the most powerful firecrackers. A cherry bomb is a dangerous firework and considered an illegal explosive device in the United States and most other countries. ... M-80s are a class of large firecrackers. ... Soldier Firing the M224 60mm Mortar. ... Bottle rockets describe any of a large variety of small scale skyrocket. ... 1966 was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ...

New Year's Eve in Western Europe

In Western Europe the use of fireworks by the general public is usually restricted to a few hours after midnight on New Year's eve. Western Europe is distinguished from Eastern Europe by differences of history and culture rather than by geography. ... This page deals with the annual event. ...

Although it is now just a custom to fire off fireworks on New-Year's eve, in the past the idea was to scare 'bad forces' so they would not enter the new year. As a consequence the most popular fireworks are still those that go off with a big bang or with a bright flash. This article is about the paranormal. ...

The retail of fireworks in Western Europe is also restricted, but the limitations differ from country to country. In the Netherlands for example the sale of fireworks is restricted to a few days before New-Year's eve, but in Belgium the sale of fireworks is legal throughout the year. Also the fireworks sold in Belgium contain more gunpowder than is allowed in the Netherlands. This leads to some illegal trafficking of fireworks from Belgium to the Netherlands. Gunpowder is a substance which burns very rapidly and is used as a propellant in firearms. ... These lollipops, above, were found to contain heroin when inspected by the DEA. Smuggling is illegal transport, in particular across a border. ...

External links

• How Fireworks work (http://people.howstuffworks.com/fireworks.htm)
• The Pyrotechnics Guild International, an independent worldwide nonprofit organization of amateur and professional fireworks enthusiasts. (http://www.pgi.org)
• Illegal Explosive Devices (http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/illegal/illegal.htm)
• About.com The Chemistry of Firework Colors (http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa062701a.htm?once=true&)
• What is a M-80? And why can't you buy one? (http://fireworksland.com/html/m80.html)
• Pyrotechnic Glossary (http://www.pyrouniverse.com/glossary.htm)

See also

• Laserworks