Tonight, the 35th annual Macy's Fourth of July fireworks display lit up New York City as 40,000 shells were fired off from half a dozen barges in the Hudson River. NBC aired the show live for those not in Manhattan. But because nobody watches NBC, here's video of the grand finale for your visual pleasure.
Happy Independence Day, America! And what better way to celebrate President Whitmore's famous speech than with fireworks? But please, be safe! We've collected some important fireworks safety tips here. Print out several copies and bring them to your barbecue! It's a great way to make friends.
The America-hating buzzkills at the NYPD confiscated some 5,000 pounds of fireworks this year (everything "from sparklers to professional pyrotechnics"), leaving many New Yorkers without even the chance to injure themselves or set their apartments on fire. But at least the department had the decency to film the destruction, which took place yesterday in the Bronx. Next year, guys, maybe you can spring for HD? [NYT]
This weekend when you're setting off Roman candles and other such contraptions in the backyard, take a minute to stop and think of what the firework itself goes through on its flight. It soars in the air, explodes, and then crashes to earth. Let's show you!
Even though Governor Rick Perry is praying for rain, Texas is still suffering from its worst drought in more than a century and Fourth of July fireworks shows across the state are being canceled as counties issue emergency bans on the flammable fun balls. What does this all mean? As Stephen Colbert explained on tonight's Report, it means that it's time to put Texas in its place for subverting Americans' desire to celebrate our independence by blowing crap up.
Remember, remember the ... 21st of June? That's the day a 33-year-old fireworks tent employee from Orlando, Fl., went a little bonkers, detonating everything in the tent after an altercation with his pregnant girlfriend. His name is Guy Fowlkes.
Ever wonder what a firecracker exploding in mud or water looks like slow motion? Well, look no further than this video that almost has a Mr. Wizard feel.
Screw 21 guns! 320,000 firecrackers is the way to go when paying tribute to a lost loved one. It may not have looked very pretty initially but a whole crap load of tiny explosions makes up for that.
This group demonstrates how to properly turn your New Year's Eve into a grass fire the whole family can enjoy. Smokey the Bear would be so disappointed.
Fireworks in a snowman, filmed, packaged as a news report, accompanied by Hans Zimmer's Inception score. If you're on the east coast of the U.S. today, go make your self one of these (but bigger).
A group of young Russians decided, for whatever reason (probably Vodka-induced patriotism), to set off fireworks in a bathtub while wearing strange hats. The results are brightly colored, painful, and hilarious.
Hayabusa, a Japanese spacecraft containing material from a moving asteroid, re-entered the atmosphere this week, putting on an amazing light show after ejecting its cargo to parachute safely into the Australian Outback. Click through for video of the explosion.
Watch this Chinese rocket fly just a few miles away from a commercial airliner. You can tell the people were anticipating it, because cameras start clicking immediately upon its arrival. Fireworks sure are a big deal over there.
There are some truths we hold to be self-evident. Certain basic human rights; forces of nature, like gravity; or the dangers of pyrotechnics, for instance.
True story: tomorrow's my second day not working in 62 days! Take a wild guess what I'll be doing tonight! Meanwhile, if any news breaks, uh, just read the comments in this thread. We'll be back on Sunday.
