Night has fallen over the massive crowd while patriotic music plays softly on stage. American flags can be seen waiving in the dim light cast by children playing with sparklers. As the music softens, the children become excited with anticipation. A dull thud is heard in the distance, it is the mortar which propels the first rocket high into the air, with a tail of silver sparks which fall gently back to the ground, and for a moment, all is quiet. Then a deep, loud boom can be heard and felt, and the explosion of multi-colored sparks brightens up the sky. The lone rocket signals to the crowd; the Independence Day celebration fireworks show has began. More rockets are propelled into the sky in different combinations; two, three, five rockets fired into the air, each vary in size, shape, and color. The crowd “oohs” and “ahhs” with the beauty of the fireworks. A brief pause silences the crowd again. Thuds ring out from the motors again, to many to count, and the sky is as bright as day, as the countless explosions fill the vision entirely. The grand finale signals the end of the yearly celebration of a tradition that has been passed on since 1777. While many countries still argue over the origin of fireworks, most seem to agree, it was a happy accident by a Chinese cook over 2000 years ago, which brought the world such a beautiful and dangerous technology to the world. Fireworks can be dangerous, and in many countries their use is prohibited, however, production of fireworks as an industry has generated millions of dollars, changed the face of military as the world knew it, and has brought an exciting outlet for fun and celebration. The true origins of fireworks may never be determined. It has been discussed that a Chinese alchemist, not a cook, discovered fireworks, while others state it was in India that fireworks were invented. Regardless,