2007-06-26 12:29:15 · 6 answers · asked by stargazer 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Independence Day
They represent the bombs, rockets, and cannon fire exchanged between Fort McHenry and the British fleet during the War of 1812.
Francis Scott Key witnessed this fight from the deck of one of the British ships, and wrote the lyrics to our national anthem that night, hence "rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air", etc. The battle raged through the night and, in the darkness, Mr. Key had no idea if Fort McHenry had fallen or not. At dawn, he could see that "our flag was still there", and he then knew that the American soldiers had successfully defended the fort and held their ground.
The lyrics were then set to music taken from an old drinking song. Yup, that's right...the tune of our national anthem is based on music from a pub song. Sweet, eh? Ha ha...
2007-06-26 12:31:53 · answer #1 · answered by The Man In The Box 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Fireworks have been associated with the Fourth of July since 1777. In 1777, thirteen guns were fired, once at morning and again as evening fell, on July 4 in Bristol, Rhode Island. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary in a manner a modern American would find quite familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades, troop reviews and fireworks. Ships were decked with red, white and blue bunting.
"The Star-Spangled Banner", the USA's national anthem, commemorates the United States flag that was visible by the light of the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air. This view of the flag through a night of bomb bursts inspired the captive Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812, and provided hope for the United States as it defended Fort McHenry.
2007-06-26 12:49:49 · answer #2 · answered by BroadwayStar 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Fireworks have been a part of many ancient cultures for ages before the US was founded. Since they were used to symbolizer an important event, it seems naturally to have fireworks on the day of our nation's founding (which it technically isn't; only two people actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, most of the others signed on August 6th). Plus they might symblo
2007-06-26 12:33:40 · answer #3 · answered by N/A 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Actually, the significance of fireworks is from this quote by John Adams who was originally the one who was to write the Declaration of Independence:
"I believe [today, July 4th] will be celebrated by succeeding generations as a great anniversary festival ... it ought to be celebrated by pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other ... "
Fireworks are what people in America have used to provide those "illuminations" of which Adams wrote.
It really is as simple as that!
It does not have anything to do with Francis Scott Key, the flag, Betsy Ross or anything else!
I give you a star for this great question!
2007-06-27 13:23:14 · answer #4 · answered by Alvin York 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both wrote about the significance of independence day and wished that people would celebrate every year by discharging ordnance. Guns and aerial bombs and such.
2007-06-26 16:41:13 · answer #5 · answered by Norman 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The national anthem , " bombs bursting in air "
2007-06-26 12:32:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋