The costume of Uncle Sam, decorated with stars and stripes, originated in cartoons of the 1830's and 1840's. In 1961, Congress passed a resolution saluting Samuel Wilson as the person who inspired America's national symbol. Fireworks are combinations of gunpowder and other ingredients that explode with loud noises and colorful sparks and flames when they burn. Fireworks are also called pyrotechnics. Fireworks that only make a loud noise are called firecrackers.
Fireworks are dangerous because they contain gunpowder.
They should be handled only by experts. Fireworks handled improperly can explode and cause serious injury to the untrained user. Most states prohibit the use of fireworks by individuals. The federal government limits the explosive power of fireworks that can be used by individuals. A fuse, which may be made of rolled paper soaked with saltpeter, ignites the coarse gunpowder charge, forming gases that stream out of the end of the paper tube.