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[[Image:Fireworks3.jpg|thumb|300px|Fireworks]]

[[Image:Fireworks3.jpg|thumb|300px|Fireworks]]

In the [[United States]], fireworks are an important part of the celebration of [[Independence Day]] on July 4th, and [[New Years Eve]] on December 31st.

In the [[United States]], fireworks are an important part of the celebration of [[Independence Day]] on July 4, and [[New Years Eve]] on December 31st.

Fireworks were invented in [[China]] and brought to [[Europe]] by [[Marco Polo]].

Fireworks were invented in [[China]] and brought to [[Europe]] by [[Marco Polo]].

==Legal status==

==Legal status==

Formerly, common fireworks intended for the consumer market were classified as "Class C" explosives by the [[U.S. Department of Transportation]], and fireworks intended for professional displays by licensed technicians (such as those at July 4th fireworks displays) were classified as "Class B".  The "Class A" designation was for [[high explosive]]s used in industry and construction such as [[dynamite]].  Nowadays an international [[United Nations]] classification system is used in the U.S. with Class 1.3 the equivalent of the old Class B, and Class 1.4 the equivalent of the old Class C.  

Formerly, common fireworks intended for the consumer market were classified as "Class C" explosives by the [[U.S. Department of Transportation]], and fireworks intended for professional displays by licensed technicians (such as those at July 4 fireworks displays) were classified as "Class B".  The "Class A" designation was for [[high explosive]]s used in industry and construction such as [[dynamite]].  Nowadays an international [[United Nations]] classification system is used in the U.S. with Class 1.3 the equivalent of the old Class B, and Class 1.4 the equivalent of the old Class C.  

Federal law regulates the explosive content of common consumer (Class 1.4 or Class C) fireworks.  Since 1966, consumer fireworks exceeding these regulations have been illegal, these include M-80s, silver salutes, and cherry bombs.  A common sight in the U.S. in the 1950s and early 1960s was the roadside stand selling cherry bombs, M-80s and other now-illegal fireworks.  Today, fireworks stands are still a common sight in many U.S. states but the explosive content of fireworks is much less than it was before 1966.  Some states regulate fireworks sales to allow them only in the period on and immediately before July 4th and/or December 31st.  Some states allow fireworks sales year round.  There are also some U.S. states, mostly in the northeast but also including the states of [[Georgia]] and [[Arizona]], which ban fireworks altogether, and [[California]] only allows fireworks deemed "safe and sane" by the state government and bans firecrackers, bottle rockets, and other fireworks that don't have the state government's approval.  All of these regulations are often cited as examples of the [[nanny state]] restricting personal [[freedom]] in the name of "protecting the children", "fire prevention", "safety", etc.

Federal law regulates the explosive content of common consumer (Class 1.4 or Class C) fireworks.  Since 1966, consumer fireworks exceeding these regulations have been illegal, these include M-80s, silver salutes, and cherry bombs.  A common sight in the U.S. in the 1950s and early 1960s was the roadside stand selling cherry bombs, M-80s and other now-illegal fireworks.  Today, fireworks stands are still a common sight in many U.S. states but the explosive content of fireworks is much less than it was before 1966.  Some states regulate fireworks sales to allow them only in the period on and immediately before July 4 and/or December 31.  Some states allow fireworks sales year round.  There are also some U.S. states, mostly in the northeast but also including the states of [[Georgia]] and [[Arizona]], which ban fireworks altogether, and [[California]] only allows fireworks deemed "safe and sane" by the state government and bans firecrackers, bottle rockets, and other fireworks that don't have the state government's approval.  All of these regulations are often cited as examples of the [[nanny state]] restricting personal [[freedom]] in the name of "protecting the children", "fire prevention", "safety", etc.

==Types of fireworks==

==Types of fireworks==

* M-80s, silver salutes, cherry bombs, and other illegal fireworks (illegal since 1966)

* M-80s, silver salutes, cherry bombs, and other illegal fireworks (illegal since 1966)

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[Gunpowder]]

* [[Gunpowder]]

==References==

==References==

* [http://www.fireworksalliance.org/ The Fireworks Alliance] - working to keep fireworks legal in America

* [http://www.fireworksalliance.org/ The Fireworks Alliance] - working to keep fireworks legal in America

[[Category : Entertainment]]

[[Category:Entertainment]]

[[Category : Gunpowder]]

[[Category:Gunpowder]]