ingredients, including saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur, to create an early form of gunpowder. Stick the substance in a bamboo shoot and light it on fire, and you’ve got yourself a pretty decent explosion. The Chinese used this invention for special celebrations — and later for war. Like sparks on a fuse, fireworks made their way west during the Renaissance, and their popularity exploded in Europe. Firemasters and their assistants, called “green men” because of the hats of green leaves they used to protect themselves from the sparks, created incredible displays at weddings and royal celebrations. King Henry VII had fireworks at his wedding in 1486. Pyrotechnics became a subject of study, particularly in Italy, where the first color fireworks were invented. by the hidden historical gems our country is home to. The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Whether you have a car full of restless young’uns to entertain, or you just want to gain some new insight into your country roots, this outing is fascinating for the whole family. As a truly unsung and unique aspect of the American West, this blast from the past gives new meaning to “girl power.” Through exciting displays and informative tours, the National Cowgirl Museum brings you back to a daring world where no day was guaranteed. Starting as nothing more than a modest room in the building’s basement, the museum has grown to more than 33,000 square feet and boasts over 4,000 artifacts. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this destination may be a bit of a drive, but the unique
Unsurprisingly, when fireworks came to the New World, Americans got carried away with fireworks-related pranks. Ordinances restricting fireworks usage popped up as early as 1731. Some things never change. But when the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote to his wife that the day should be commemorated with, among other things, “illuminations … from this time forward forevermore.” The very next year, on July 4, Americans did just that. As firework displays have become more advanced and elaborate, patriots across the country have carried on this tradition. As long as the nighttime sky exists, Americans will paint it with fireworks. opportunity to take in the bravery and achievements of some of history’s greatest cowgirls makes the trip worth it. Tombstone, Arizona, and All Its Wild Wonders Few towns have played a more important role in our common knowledge of the Wild West than Tombstone, Arizona. From the popular movie of the same name to the famed “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral,” this stunning city is unparalleled in historical value. Through countless restoration efforts and local museums, this Wild West behemoth has no shortage of adventures to set out on. From old-timey saloons and spooky graveyards to the infamous Birdcage Theatre, you can go on a week’s worth of expeditions accompanied by friendly guides who are there to fill you in on all the tales of old.
There are only so many times you can go to Disney World over the summer until both kids and parents start snoring from boredom. Why not take a break from your modern ways? Silence your cell phones, pop in a road trip CD, roll the windows down, and get a new perspective on this great nation of ours. You’d be surprised
Painting the Sky
A History of Fireworks and America’s Independence
To say that the history of fireworks was colorful wouldn’t be completely right — color wasn’t added to fireworks until the 1830s. To call the history of fireworks bright, vibrant, explosive, and dangerous would all still be correct, though. Their invention was accidental and intertwined with weddings, war, monarchy, religion, the search for immortality, and American independence. The Chinese had been throwing bamboo shoots in their fires to ward off evil spirits since 200 B.C., but the tradition didn’t evolve into something resembling fireworks until a thousand years later. In 800 A.D., the Chinese accidentally advanced the science of fireworks by attempting to create an elixir that granted immortality. Alchemists mixed a number of
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