Sparkling Skies: The History and Science of Fireworks
Every year on the Fourth of July, the night sky across the United States transforms into a canvas of bright colors and booming sounds. Families gather on blankets in parks or backyards to watch spectacular firework displays. But have you ever wondered why we celebrate with these "bombs bursting in air"? This tradition is much older than you might think.
The tradition of using fireworks to celebrate American independence actually goes back to the very beginning of the country. In 1776, John Adams, one of the founding fathers, wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail. He predicted that the signing of the Declaration of Independence would be celebrated with "illuminations" from one end of the continent to the other. "Illuminations" was an old-fashioned word for fireworks. A year later, in 1777, Philadelphia held the first organized Fourth of July celebration, which included a grand display of fireworks. The tradition stuck, and today, it is one of the most recognizable ways to honor the nation's birthday.
- Illuminations:
- An old-fashioned word used to describe bright displays of light, especially fireworks.
- Stars:
- Small pellets of chemicals inside a firework that create colors and patterns when they explode.
- Strontium:
- A chemical element used in fireworks to produce a brilliant red color.
- Fuse:
- A string or cord that is lit to carry a flame to the explosive part of a firework.
- gunpowder:
- An explosive powder made of chemicals that burns rapidly to create a burst of power that blasts a firework apart.
- sparklers:
- Handheld fireworks that slowly burn down while giving off bright, glowing sparks of light.
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- 1Who predicted that the signing of the Declaration of Independence would be celebrated with fireworks?
- 2What was the old-fashioned word used in the 1700s to describe firework displays?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“Sparkling Skies: The History and Science of Fireworks” is a explanatory article reading passage about Independence Day, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (339 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.