NEW CASTLE, PA – Patriotism is on the rise and the nation’s upcoming Independence Day Celebrations reflect this national trend. More cities and event organizers than ever are planning fireworks shows on July 4th, and almost all are choosing patriotic music and themes. “Patriotism is up. “ said George Zambelli, president of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, one of the nation’s oldest and largest fireworks manufacturing companies, “We’re seeing a 50% resurgence in patriotic Independence Day themes, across the nation, and this is what our forefathers envisioned more than 200 years ago.”

After the Declaration of Independence was signed, John Adams wrote, in a letter to his wife, “ I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great Anniversary Festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, guns, bonfires and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward and forevermore.”

The fireworks we see today are much more advanced than the simple luminaries of Adam’s time, thanks to advanced chemistry, computer choreography and musical soundtracks. Fireworks have been around for more than 2,000 years and most historians credit China for the first pyrotechnics, which were simple bamboo tubes packed with saltpeter, sulphur and charcoal. Their loud bangs were used at weddings, funerals and birthdays to drive away evil spirits. Italian explorer Marco Polo brought Chinese fireworks back to Italy in the 1300’s and Italy soon became the leading European center for the new art, supplying pyrotechnics to European churchmen and kings for important celebrations.

Today, fireworks shells are still made by hand at the Zambelli family’s manufacturing plant outside New Castle, Pennsylvania. All of George Zambelli’s five adult children, and two sons in law work in the business, using secret fireworks formulas brought here from Italy over 100 years ago by George’s father, Antonio. Modern firework shows use computer-controlled electronic ignition, and precisely timed fuses to synchronize bursts to music, but shell making has changed very little over the past 500 years. Master pyrotechnicians utilize careful arrangements of powders, resins, gums, strings and paper to make shells that range in size from tennis balls to basketballs and weigh from 6 ounces to 12 pounds.

The Zambelli family produces more than 1,800 shows on July 4th, including some of the country’s most elaborate displays in Denver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Mount Rushmore, Saint Louis & Baltimore. For photographs or a free fireworks screensaver, or for more information on fireworks, including a fireworks quiz, visit the Zambelli web site at zambellifireworks.com. Fireworks Fun Facts and photos are available to the media, upon request.