Light Up the Sky (1)

Fireworks light up a dark sky with bursts of color

People love fireworks. Many countries celebrate their national day or major holidays with fireworks. They fill the night sky with bursts of red, blue, green and gold. Historians say fireworks began in China. Between 600 and 900 A.D., the Chinese invented gunpowder . They put it into bamboo tubes and threw them into the fire. The tubes would burst with a loud bang. Thus, the first fireworks were born. Chinese used them to scare away ghosts and celebrate special events.

By the 13th century, gunpowder had found its way to Europe. Western scientists improved it and used it in weapons. At the same time, gunpowder was used in fireworks to enhance celebrations of military victories. In medieval England, people who were good with fireworks were called "firemasters." They had assistants called green men. These assistants wore hats made of green leaves to protect their heads from sparks. Theirs was a dangerous job, and many died or were injured in accidents.

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