When Did Fireworks Become a Fourth of July Tradition?

Founding Father John Adams once wrote that American independence should be celebrated with "illuminations from one end of this continent to the other"

The Fourth of July, also referred to as Independence Day, has been celebrated across the United States since 1776 — and nearly 250 years later, big cities, small towns, counties and states alike continue to cap off the night with dazzling displays of fireworks.

But when — and how — did the entire nation agree to commemorate freedom in the same explosive way?

The Original Independence Day

Independence Day celebrations began before the American Revolutionary War concluded, when the Second Continental Congress voted for the U.S. to declare its independence from Great Britain on July 2, 1776.

John Adams, who would soon become the first vice president before succeeding George Washington, wrote to his wife, Abigail, that July 2 would become the celebration of independence for years to come, and should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other," according to History.com.

Despite the vote to break away from Britain occurring on July 2, it was ultimately two days later when delegates from the Thirteen Colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. And from then on, the Fourth of July became the day that Americans would recognize the country's independence, even if it would be several more years until the fight for freedom concluded.

Why do we celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks?

Following the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the festivities traditionally held for King George III's birthday — including concerts, bonfires, parades, and cannon firings — were also adopted for the July 4, 1776, celebrations.

But it was during the first organized Fourth of July celebrations in Philadelphia on the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1777 that fireworks really took center stage.

In the city regarded as the birthplace of America, a cannon fired a 13-gun salute to honor the Thirteen Colonies on July 4, 1777. Then, the evening "closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets),” the Pennsylvania Evening Post reported the next day, per the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The 1777 celebrations extended all the way to Boston, where fireworks were also used over the Boston Common that same year — and the tradition of shooting light across the sky continued each July Fourth thereafter.

When were fireworks invented?

Americans were far from the first people to celebrate important occasions with fireworks.

Firecrackers in their simplest form were widely believed to have originated in ancient China, by throwing bamboo into a fire and making it pop, then grew into a more legitimate "firework" following the invention of gunpowder in China between 600-900 A.D., according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.

Fireworks eventually made their way over to Europe, and by the 15th century, the continent was widely incorporating light shows into celebrations and festivals. European settlers who arrived in America were well aware of fireworks when they started thinking of their own ways to celebrate important occasions.

While modern pyrotechnics used today are far more evolved than they were in even the 1700s, the United States' Founding Fathers still experienced illuminated skies during their celebrations. Colorful and complicated displays more similar to what we see today didn't start popping up until the 19th century.

When did the Fourth of July become a federal holiday?

In 1781, Massachusetts was the first state to officially observe July Fourth as a state holiday. However, following the War of 1812, observing the holiday became a popular nationwide tradition.

Later, in 1870, Congress made Independence Day a federal holiday, after it became "the most important secular holiday on the calendar," according to the Library of Congress.

Starting in 1941, all federal employees were granted a paid holiday on July 4 in celebration of the anniversary.