St. Louis, USA – E be like say na every July 4, America dey catch fire, no be with burning houses o, but with fireworks! This one na dia Independence Day wey dem dey celebrate since 1776. Na wetin fit sweet pass? Plenty people come out for street, dey drink cold beer, dey barbecue, and dey watch that sky light up!
So how we take land for this ‘light show’ wey dey happen every year? E start when Continental Congress carry their legs go declare say dem wan separate from Britain on July 2, 1776. But in typical Naija style, dem no celebrate am until two days later. That na July 4 wey dem take make am official holiday, wetin we go now sabi as Independence Day.
But e no stop for there o, John Adams, wey go soon turn vice president come write am for him babe, Abigail, say this day go need plenty ‘Pomp and Parade’. He talk about Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, and of course, Fireworks! Man don plan the party since 1776!
For first organized celebration in 1777, Philadelphia na di main area wey dem set up fireworks to celebrate di 13 original colonies. Dem fire 13 gun salute! Even di papers headline say na the biggest fireworks display wey eyes don see for that time.
Na so every July 4 don become time to show light and make di sky dey shine. From Boston to San Diego, na candlelight everybody dey look forward to. You fit ask wetin make fireworks sweet like this? Na because dem comot from ancient China, where dem start using bamboo for fire! Things don change since then; now we fit blow anything wey get color.
As di years dey pass, Independence Day celebrations don grow from bonfires and bell rings to the massive firework displays wey dey catch people eye nowadays. Even though fireworks don dey cause plenty wahala on top injury matter, as dem go dey chop people hand and leg sometimes. Yet, people still dey no gree leave di enjoyment anytime Independence Day dey come.
In 1781, Massachusetts become di first state wey celebrate July Fourth as holiday, but na after all di wahala wey dem go through during di War of 1812, dem finally start to celebrate this day full-time everywhere.
Fast forward to today: each year, America dey spend $1 billion just to shine di sky with fireworks on this day! Sometimes, wahala dey come from too many people putting fire for ground, but dem still dey enjoy dem self.
Na common sight for people to gather for parks, watch concerts, and wear red, white, and blue. E no dey complete without barbecue of all kinds and dem eating contest wey go dey feature hot dogs. Like dem go say, na only in America you’ll see dis one. But e get as e be!
All dis grand fireworks tradition wey America don collect no be small. E don turn into plenty hustle for people wey dey sell am too, especially when di price from China dey change like weather. As di Independence Day dey come, Americans and dem fireworks dey continue di mad love story since 1777!
