Fireworks

A fireworks event (also called a fireworks display or fireworks show) is a spectacular display of the effects produced by firework devices on various occasions. Fireworks competitions are also regularly held at a number of places.

Fireworks events

Bonfire night in Britain

In 1605 Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the British Parliament with 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars of Westminster Hall. On 5 November, Fawkes was arrested and Parliament was saved. That night is now celebrated as bonfire night by filling the sky with exploding fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

Related Topics:
1605 - Guy Fawkes - British - Parliament - Gunpowder - Westminster Hall - 5 November - Bonfire night - Bonfire

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:Remember, remember the fifth of November.

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:Gunpowder, treason and plot.

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:I see no reason why gunpowder treason

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:Should ever be forgot.

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::– a children's rhyme about the events, still spoken today

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Licensing for firework sellers has recently been introduced in the United Kingdom. Fireworks cannot be sold to people under the age of 18 and setting them off between 11pm and 7am is only allowed at specific times of the year, including New Year and Bonfire night.

Related Topics:
United Kingdom - New Year

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Along the same lines, in Canada, during Halloween, many fireworks displays are seen throughout.

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Independence Day in the United States

Each year before the American Independence Day, the Fourth of July, retail fireworks stands spring up around the nation in states that do not severely restrict or outright ban all fireworks for safety reasons (such as Nevada). Popular types of legal use-at-home fireworks include:

Related Topics:
American - Independence Day - Nevada

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• Roman candles
• Fountain batteries
• Sparklers
• "Snakes" (turn to ash)
• Saturn missile batteries
• Smoke bombs (not an actual explosive)

Note that South Carolina sells slightly more explosive fireworks in addition to these popular types; these are usually referred to as "firecrackers". Interestingly, South Carolina also sells fireworks at stands year-round.

Related Topics:
South Carolina - Firecrackers

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Because of the hodge-podge of different regulations in the various U.S. states, many towns at or near state borders set up shop in order to attract customers from areas where fireworks are restricted. A similar situation can happen with Native American tribes that have reservation lands. They often sell fireworks that are not legal for sale outside of the reservation. Such fireworks types include, but are not limited to:

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• Cherry bombs
• Silver-salutes
• M-80 (explosive) firecrackers
• M-100 firecrackers
• M-1000 firecrackers
• firecracker rolls/strips
• single shot/multiple use mortars
• Bottle rockets
• special rockets
• spinners
• parachutes with flares
• 500-gram cakes
• large fountains

Note that actual ownership or sale of true cherry bombs, M-80 style salutes, or any firecracker in excess of 50 milligrams of powder is a violation of federal law (1966 Child Protection Act). Native Americans, like any other U.S. citizen, are not exempt from federal law.

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New Year's Eve

Major cities around the world host spectacular firework display on New Year's eve. Although it is now just a custom to fire off fireworks on New-Year's eve, in the past the idea was to scare 'bad forces' so they would not enter the new year. As a consequence the most popular fireworks are still those that go off with a big bang or with a bright flash.

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In Western Europe the use of fireworks by the general public is usually restricted to a few hours after midnight on New Year's eve.

Related Topics:
Western Europe - New Year's eve

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The retail of fireworks in Western Europe is also restricted, but the limitations differ from country to country. In the Netherlands for example the sale of fireworks is restricted to a few days before New-Year's eve, but in Belgium the sale of fireworks is legal throughout the year. Also the fireworks sold in Belgium contain more gunpowder than is allowed in the Netherlands. This leads to some illegal trafficking of fireworks from Belgium to the Netherlands.

Related Topics:
Netherlands - Belgium - Gunpowder - Illegal trafficking

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Where is the security ??

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Deepavali (Festival of Lights) in India

Deepavali (or Diwali) is the most popular festival of India, which broadly celebrates the triumph of good over evil primarily symbolized in the mythological epic of Ramayana in which the Hindu God Rama defeats his demonic adversary Ravana. Customary traditions include offering prayers to the Gods in the morning and exchanging sweets with friends and neighbors. During the night the houses are adorned with small lit oil lamps and colorful lights and then the entire family participates in the display of fireworks.

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Unlike Western nations, retail of fireworks is largely unrestricted in India. People have access to a variety of fireworks and most of them in urban areas set it off on the public roads running in front of their houses. In smaller towns, the large temples of the town typically have public fireworks displays. Deepavali brings the spirit of goodwill and brotherhood and is celebrated across all religions in India.

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