Thursday, July 24, 2008

Fireworks!

Does everything come from/begin in China?? ;)

Just read a bit of history on fireworks...these low explosive pyrotechnic devices began in China.
"The earliest unequivocal documentation of fireworks dates back to 12th century China,[1] where they were first used to frighten away evil spirits with their loud
sound ("BIAN PAO!!!!")* and also to pray for happiness and prosperity."
*emphasis added :)

From New Year's celebrations, to independance day, to even Guy Fawkes day ("Remember, remember the 5th of November...") Fireworks are still considered a necessary and pleasing aesthetic form of entertainment.



Just in case you want to go to the BEST firework shows in the world, I have composed a little list for you:

1.The biggest fireworks event in the world is held in Madeira, Portugal at the New Years' Eve celebrations, as documented in the Guinness World Records.

2. Sydney, Australia. Where they are the first to be seen for New Years Day!

3.November 5th, London for Guy Fawkes Day
---In 1605 Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators attempted to blow up the Parliament of England while the King was inside. Fawkes placed 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, both in the United Kingdom and in former British colonies such as South Africa and New Zealand as Guy Fawkes Night or bonfire night by filling the sky with exploding fireworks, and by burning an effigy of Guy Fawkes on a bonfire.

Remember, remember the fifth of November.
Gunpowder, treason, and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Will ever be forgot.

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

4.Thrissur Pooram fireworks, India

5. Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in New York



*All information retrieved from Wikipedia
*Song? From a band called Paper Route.
(and everytime I type Paper Route, I keep writing Paper ROUGE! just thought I'd share a vice :)

2 comments:

Cynthia said...

Did you ever see "V for Vendetta" with Natalie Portman?? This is totally reminding me of it..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_for_Vendetta

WTF? said...

http://www.FireworksGuide.com/ has the most complete list of Worldwide Pyrothechnic displays on the internet.