A device containing gunpowder and other combustible chemicals that explodes to produce spectacular colored lights and sounds. Often used in celebrations and displays.
Compound formed from 'fire' (Old English 'fyr') and 'work' (Old English 'weorc'). Originally referred to any pyrotechnic device or military explosive, with the celebratory meaning emerging in the 16th century.
Fireworks were invented in ancient China over 2000 years ago, initially created to scare away evil spirits with loud noises rather than for visual beauty. The gorgeous colors we see today come from different metal salts - strontium for red, copper for blue, sodium for yellow!
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