fading fast

What is it about fireworks that fascinates us so? I celebrated "Independence Day" with others from church this evening at a large church/community event, and topping off the event was a glorious display of fireworks matched with music. If a long set of fireworks means that the firework display was a good one, then tonight's display was a good one.

But as I sat there among 'friends' I had to wonder what the allure was...
Why the anticipation, the excitement...

Fireworks are only a succession of sparkling lights, fading fast from the night and when the overall display is over, that's it - it is over. They emit a spark, maybe a few sparks - they light up the sky, dazzle viewers, then they fade leaving behind only a whispering smoke. Is there really any substance to them? Anything that holds?

I looked up fireworks on wikipedia (that oh so trusty source of knowledge!) and discovered that Americans have been celebrating Independence Day with fireworks since 1777, 6 years before they had even won the Revolutionary War. Following that first celebration fireworks have held an important role in honoring milestones in American history. I give it to the Americans, they sure do like things loud and noisy, and this has been consistent through time :)

I did read that fireworks are first thought to have started in China in the 12th Century, and were used as noisemakers to scare away evil spirits. Isn't it ironic how the purpose of the things we use and do shift over time, how that fireworks shifted from a source to scare of the evil of the world, and how they now commerate moments of great joy and celebration...

Happy 4th of July to you all...maybe you can tell me what the allure of fireworks is...