By Bill Cook, development director
Everyone knows of the story about the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th in 1776, but we may be unaware of why we have marvelous fireworks displays each year to commemorate this historic event.
According to research conducted by James R. Heintze, from American University in Washington, D.C. the reason we celebrate with fireworks is due to an act of Congress. In Mr. Heintze research, he writes of the First Fireworks on the Fourth of July in 1777…
“Congress led the way for the encouragement of fireworks on the Fourth of July by authorizing a display on July 4, 1777, in Philadelphia, a year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. “At night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons.” Another colorful display took place in Philadelphia on July 4, 1779: “In the evening a set of brilliant fireworks were exhibited, particularly excellent rockets, which, after ascending to an amazing height in the air, burst, and displayed thirteen stars.“”
To this day, some 237 years later, we still gather to watch fireworks displays and celebrate with gatherings on July 4th. Here at the Sacred Heart Home, we honor our Residents who are Veterans. These Resident – Veterans served our country in both war times and peace times, protecting our Freedom and Liberty, those values that have made our country great.
