What the History of Fireworks Can Teach Us Today

In 1903, makeshift fourth of July celebrations left more than 400 people dead and nearly 4,000 injured — mostly children. The Journal of the American Medical Association called the 4th of July an “annual carnival of noise, smoke, and bloodshed.”

Over the next fifteen years, in cities and towns across the country, reforms went into place. Municipalities planned their own celebrations. Official celebrations. In 1915, Boston officially sanctioned one of its three annual conflagrations and 30,000 people attended. By 1917, injuries and deaths had dropped to an all-time low. By 1929, the official 4th of July celebration brought 200,000 people together safely to celebrate. Over time, fireworks became safer, but the large public celebrations stuck. Every Summer, across America, downtowns and main streets celebrate the 4th of July.

Ten years ago, the Atlantic published a brief history on these celebrations. It’s a remarkable story with special relevance for today. Public officials could have simply outlawed 4th of July celebrations; instead, they gave people something to do.

In teaching, we call this “positive framing.” It’s much more effective to tell students to “put their pencils in the groove inside their desk” than it is to tell them to “stop fidgeting!”

In the moment, this is easier said than done. It can feel good to say “stop!” The endorphins rush as our voice rises. Perhaps, for a moment, it works. In the long run, negativity does more harm than good. It damages trust. It creates confusion. It makes everyone feel a little bit worse.

I’ve thought a lot about positive framing this year. We need it more than ever. So, when I read about the strange history of fireworks, I smiled.

One hundred years ago, I’m sure there were meetings across the country about the 4th of July and what could be done.

Surely, someone proposed “no celebrations!”

When they did, someone else spoke up and proposed a big celebration instead. They put their trust in the public and created a tradition that has lasted more than 100 years.