The Bombs Bursting in Air
English 101
The Bombs Bursting in Air
Hiding behind a fence post, my dad prepared to fire his next missile. Careful not to expose too much of his body, he would survey the area for his enemy. One could see the look of determination in his eyes when he spotted his target. He would load his barrel, light the fuse, and take aim. Only the screams of his adversary were indications of his accuracy. Although brave, my father is not a war hero. He is simply a survivor of the bottle rocket duel with my uncle. Fireworks play an important part of celebration in my family as well as in the families of many other Americans; fireworks mean many different things to people of all ages. The history of fireworks goes back to China thousands of years before Christ. The first firecrackers were actually chunks of green bamboo. When there was no available wood, these chunks were used as fuel in a fire and would explode soon after heating up. These primitive explosives then became an important part of Chinese culture and were used in many different public displays. Although they were basically just ways of having fun, these explosives soon developed into more advanced weapons and explosives.
Fireworks are now used to celebrate the independence of our country. The tradition of setting off fireworks on Independence Day started one year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Symbolic of the “rockets’ red glare” and the “bombs bursting in air,” they remind of us what our forefathers had to endure in war for their independence from Britain. They are also used to observe many other important events. New Years Day is just one of many holidays, along with many private celebrations, that are usually celebrated with fireworks.
The most simple of all of our patriotic bombs is the firecracker. A firecracker is a small, slender tube that resembles a cigarette. It is in essence a downscaled pipe bomb. It is a roll of paper with a small amount of gunpowder wrapped up inside of it.
The Bombs Bursting in Air
Hiding behind a fence post, my dad prepared to fire his next missile. Careful not to expose too much of his body, he would survey the area for his enemy. One could see the look of determination in his eyes when he spotted his target. He would load his barrel, light the fuse, and take aim. Only the screams of his adversary were indications of his accuracy. Although brave, my father is not a war hero. He is simply a survivor of the bottle rocket duel with my uncle. Fireworks play an important part of celebration in my family as well as in the families of many other Americans; fireworks mean many different things to people of all ages. The history of fireworks goes back to China thousands of years before Christ. The first firecrackers were actually chunks of green bamboo. When there was no available wood, these chunks were used as fuel in a fire and would explode soon after heating up. These primitive explosives then became an important part of Chinese culture and were used in many different public displays. Although they were basically just ways of having fun, these explosives soon developed into more advanced weapons and explosives.
Fireworks are now used to celebrate the independence of our country. The tradition of setting off fireworks on Independence Day started one year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Symbolic of the “rockets’ red glare” and the “bombs bursting in air,” they remind of us what our forefathers had to endure in war for their independence from Britain. They are also used to observe many other important events. New Years Day is just one of many holidays, along with many private celebrations, that are usually celebrated with fireworks.
The most simple of all of our patriotic bombs is the firecracker. A firecracker is a small, slender tube that resembles a cigarette. It is in essence a downscaled pipe bomb. It is a roll of paper with a small amount of gunpowder wrapped up inside of it.