A little bit of history concerning how fireworks became illegal in most American cities

[Anonymous]

I was doing a little research at my day job today and came across the following reference to fireworks. I thought that this crowd might be interested given how the setting off of fireworks becomes a topic of debate here every year. Enjoy!

"In 1899, [Managing Editor of the Chicago Tribune James] Keeley's daughter was critically ill, and her physician told the family that the girl's life was endangered by the uproar of the fireworks accompanying Chicago's Independence Day festivities. The following year Keeley began a crusade for 'a Sane Fourth,' which after more than thirty years helped achieve the outlawing of the general sale of fireworks in most states." Wendt, Lloyd. Chicago Tribune: The Rise of a Great American Newspaper, 358.

[Anonymous]

I don't think modern day laws restricting the use of flammable objects and explosives has anything to do with a quaint Chicago tale from long ago.

In some urban areas with high crime, it is hard to distinguish fireworks from gunshots so police get fewer or erroneous reports of gunfire. There are obvious safety issues with setting off explosives in highly populated areas. People used to fire their rifles into the air too long ago but these is nowadays seen as a safety issue.In some climates with dry conditions, the sparks create a real danger for fires to start.

I think fireworks are pretty and have always enjoyed them but I'm not dumb enough to set them off myself. I would prefer that police and ER resources not be diverted to the "Darwin" group that thinks fireworks are toys.

[Anonymous]

You may be right. But I cited my source (just because I thought that people might find it interesting). Can you cite yours?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In some urban areas with high crime, it is hard to distinguish fireworks from gunshots so police get fewer or erroneous reports of gunfire.

When I moved to Columbia Heights in 1995, one of the first things I learned was how to distinguish the sound of a gunshot from fireworks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You may be right. But I cited my source (just because I thought that people might find it interesting). Can you cite yours?

Not PP, but here's a story for you. I know it's not as cute and quaint as a story about an ill child and how that is the "legend of how fireworks were banned," but 8000 ER visits, 15,000 fires per year, and 36 Million in property damages is far from cute. Every year.

Source: http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=297&cookie_test=1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In some urban areas with high crime, it is hard to distinguish fireworks from gunshots so police get fewer or erroneous reports of gunfire.

When I moved to Columbia Heights in 1995, one of the first things I learned was how to distinguish the sound of a gunshot from fireworks.

I'm calling bullshit on this. What, you took a lesson? I've lived in urban areas my entire life and while I generally think I can tell, I can't always tell. I'm sure there are others that lack your omniscient ability to know one from the other...especially given how many different types of gunshots and gunfire sounds there are.

[Anonymous]

Wow, people are grumpy.

I'm certaint hat it was more than one man agitating about his ill daughter who got 30 laws passed in 30 states. But often, public safety issues like this just bubble along for years, until one catalyzing event or person swings th momentum and allow a movement to coalesce. So I'm equally certain a lot of things might be true. This one man may have had enough clout, voice, money, connections to take what were scattered, isolated efforts and create a movement to ban fireworks, with a lot of help/support from those in the trenches, like the fire departments, police departments, etc.

Think of how MADD started. Or that one father in NY whose daughter died after subpar hospital care from exhausted residents changed laws all around the country on how many hours residents could work with breaks. Or Erin Brokovich. Or Rachel Carson. Or any endless number of examples. Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire and better worker conditions. etc.

A problem exists. Some people, generally, want to fix the problem, though a lot of people don't really care and it's not a priority. A catalyzing event or person unifies disparate efforts around a cause. Change happens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In some urban areas with high crime, it is hard to distinguish fireworks from gunshots so police get fewer or erroneous reports of gunfire.

When I moved to Columbia Heights in 1995, one of the first things I learned was how to distinguish the sound of a gunshot from fireworks.

I'm calling bullshit on this. What, you took a lesson? I've lived in urban areas my entire life and while I generally think I can tell, I can't always tell. I'm sure there are others that lack your omniscient ability to know one from the other...especially given how many different types of gunshots and gunfire sounds there are.

Agree. I've lived in DC for 30+ years and I can tell most of the time - but not all of time. Same with car backfiring and other random sounds. This is what living in the city is, noise - loud noise. I hate gunshots and I hate fireworks. I also hate sirens....but I love living in the city, so I put up with it.

I also put up with people bitching about the same crap year after year after year after year........