By Cory Edwards
Every July 4, the United States celebrates its freedom with a spectacular array of nighttime fireworks.
Most associate fireworks with the day we celebrate our independence from England.
Sadly, America wasn''t the first to think of the ''bright'' idea - not even close.
The origin of the roman candles, cuckoo, bottle rocket, black cat and every other kind of firework can be traced back thousands of years ago.
Although it is debated exactly when and where it occurred, pyrotechnic historians at pyrotech.com say the first showing of fireworks was in China, during the second century B.C.
These much-anticipated nighttime spectaculars were discovered by complete mistake.
Legend has it, that a Chinese cook was laboring in a field kitchen when he mixed three common kitchen ingredients - saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur and charred wood (charcoal).
This cook discovered that it combusted with considerable force. He also found that when the same ingredients were tightly enclosed, it exploded rather than burned, and did so with loud sound and bright fire.
The sight and sound was ideal for thwarting evil spirits and served such a purpose for years. They were also used to celebrate weddings, new years and victorious battles-revolutionary battles. Enter America.
On July 3, 1776, one of our country''s forefathers, John Adams, wrote a letter to his wife expressing excitement over participating in the Declaration of Independence.
'The day will be the most memorable in the history of America,' Adams said. 'It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade...bonfire and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to other.'
Since then the country has celebrated its freedom by a rousing show of fireworks.
These shows have grown over the years, adding new colors, bigger brighter lights and expensive bills to pay. Firework shows frequently cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It wasn''t until the 18th century that firework displays became choreographed to music. Approximately 50 years before America declared its independence, England signed a peace treaty ending the War of Austrian Succession.
George Friedrich Handel composed a symphony to be used at the celebration in London. Handel named the symphony, Music for the Royal Fireworks, specifically for the fireworks celebration in lieu of the war.