Did you know that it was illegal not to celebrate Bonfire Night in Britain as recently as 1959?
Bonfire Night, or 5th November, marks the night of Guy Fawkes’s gunpowder plot at the Houses of Parliament back in 1605. Nowadays though, we love Bonfire Night for one thing and one thing only -the fascinating fireworks which light up our skies every year.
There’s just something about this spectacle that speaks to your inner child. I don’t know anyone who can watch fireworks without a goofy grin spreading across their faces and wonderment filling their eyes! Do you know much about fireworks though? In honour of Bonfire Night in a few days’ time, here are Economy Car Hire’s 15 fun facts about fireworks…
1. Sparklers are often considered the safest firework but did you know they burn at 15 x the boiling point of water?! That’s 1,500 degrees! That means that the power from three of them burning together is the equivalent of a blow torch. No wonder you are supposed to wear gloves when playing with them…
2. Do you know the names of the patterns created when fireworks explode? Many of them are named after flowers like these:
3. Fireworks were first used in the UK at the wedding of Henry VII in 1486 – at least, that was the first recorded mention of them. That’s 527 years ago – incredible, right?
4. Be sure not to wear synthetic clothing when handling firecrackers – static electricity trapped in the clothing can actually set them off!
5. Nowadays, producing quality pyrotechnics is a scientific and skilled art! Find out more about how they are made here.
6. Screaming rockets provide the most memorable soundtrack to Bonfire Night. It’s no surprise, as they launch into the sky at speeds of more than 150mph. The actual shell however, can reach heights of 200m (656ft!).
7. The largest rocket firework ever produced weighed 13kg and was both manufactured and launched in 2010 in Portugal.
8. Any idea how the colours of fireworks are created? Well, originally fireworks were only white and orange. Fireworks later became more colourful when different salts and chemicals were added. Click to enlarge image.
9. Fireworks may be amazing to look at but they are also incredibly dangerous. It’s claimed that 10 people every year lose their sight permanently as a result from fireworks injuries.
10. In 2009, the Telegraph wrote an article questioning whether the Government should ban fireworks because of the detrimental affect they have on the environment. I completely understand their reasoning but it’s also a little ironic. With regards to the tradition of Bonfire Night, I mean. What do you think?
11. Before each State Opening of Parliament, the Yeoman of the Guard searches the cellars by candlelight. This tradition didn’t actually begin until 1678 though – 73 years after Guy Fawkes’s failed attempt.
12. Approximately £15 million is spent on fireworks every year in the UK! Around the world, the annual bill exceeds £200 million.
13. The largest firework display ever recorded took place in Kuwait in 2012 (marked by the Guinness Book of World Records) and cost a mere £10 million. A total of 77,282 fireworks were launched during the 64 minute display which took place over 5km of seafront.
14. 90% of all fireworks are created in China and shipped around the world. China is also the first country to document fireworks, during the 7th century!
15. If you see fireworks in your dreams, it is thought you have sparked your creativity and will have lots of great ideas! It is also thought to symbolise enthusiasm and that you like to be centre of attention!
If celebrations and festivals are your thing then check out our guide to the most magical festivals in the world, or the top festivals in autumn.
Thank you for spotting that Ken – that was a typo on my part 🙂 I have rectified this!
The gunpowder plot was in 1605, not the year before William came over and gave us a pasting at Hastings.