All articles tagged with #fireworks
Katy Perry condemned the White House for using her song 'Fireworks' in a TikTok video showcasing U.S. strikes on Iran, saying she did not approve it and that the track is meant to symbolize hope, not warfare; the controversy mirrors similar backlash from other artists as the U.S. conducts strikes against Iran.
An anti-ICE activist was taken into custody after lighting fireworks in a shopping cart and brandishing two airsoft rifles outside a Manhattan immigration court (26 Federal Plaza). Two people were injured, another is being checked, and the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating.
A Kotaku writer recounts a Fourth of July gathering where a Pikachu-branded firework named Peek-a-boom erupts in a dramatic finale, spinning and showering sparks from multiple points. The firework delivers a surprising show, Pikachu survives the burst, and even a later SUV bump doesn’t stop the mythical moment from becoming a humorous look at fireworks culture.
NASA shared video of Fourth of July fireworks over Los Angeles as the International Space Station orbited overhead about 260 miles above the United States. Seven astronauts on Expedition 74 — including three Americans such as Jessica Meir — celebrated the holiday from space, with Meir posting a Fourth of July message.
Washington, DC briefly logged the world’s worst air quality for a major city after an 850,000-shell Independence Day fireworks show, with PM2.5 levels spiking to about 6.7 times pre-fireworks and all city sensors reporting air unhealthy for sensitive groups. The peak occurred around 4am, but thunderstorms helped limit the worst impact. The event, organized byFreedom 250, comes amid broader pollution-control rollbacks championed by the Trump administration.
A father died after re-entering his burning Hollywood, Maryland home to search for his 10-year-old child; the child escaped safely. Investigators suspect discarded ground-based fireworks on the back deck may have started the blaze, and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s office continues the investigation.
More than 800,000 fireworks illuminated the National Mall in Washington, DC, to mark America 250. The celebration, including the Salute to America with President Trump, was briefly interrupted by a thunderstorm that forced an evacuation, but attendees returned for the fireworks and continued the event.
Thunderstorms disrupted Washington, D.C.’s America 250th celebration, forcing evacuations on parts of the National Mall as the Secret Service urged shelter and crowds were redirected to nearby museums and government buildings amid capacity issues. The night still culminated with a massive fireworks display over the National Mall and a Washington Monument light moment after President Donald Trump’s speech, marking the milestone with more than 800,000 fireworks.
DC’s Freedom 250 fireworks were pitched as a Guinness World Records attempt for the largest pyrotechnics display, planning more than 850,000 shells, but as of Sunday evening officials had not confirmed a record. The current record stands at 810,904 shells set by a Philippines church in 2016. The show, tied to the Salute to America 250 on the National Mall, followed typical Fourth of July patterns (roughly 17,000 shells, 17–20 minutes, about $270,000) and raised air-quality concerns, with Guinness not yet commenting.
A Delta Air Lines Airbus A319 descending toward Chicago Midway on July 4 reported a “big bang” after a firework hit the plane; the flight landed safely with 52 passengers and 6 crew, no injuries were reported, mechanics found no damage, and the FAA is investigating.
Fireworks for America’s 250th birthday fired from the Golden Gate Bridge were largely obscured by a marine layer, with visibility depending on vantage point. West-side viewers around the Presidio and other western spots saw the bridge vanish into fog, while eastern viewpoints caught a few color bursts. The 15-minute show drew crowds, snarled traffic, and local renegade displays continued elsewhere in the city.
Washington, DC faced a Code Red air-quality alert after a 40-minute Fourth of July fireworks display pushed pollutants to very unhealthy levels, with IQAir ranking DC among the world’s worst air quality; health officials warned seniors and people with medical conditions to limit outdoor exposure, hospitals logged patient contacts, and rain was forecast to help cleanse the air, while organizers eyed a possible world-record milestone.
Delta Flight 1076 from Atlanta to Chicago Midway was hit by a firework as it descended, with crew reporting a big bang. The Airbus A319 landed safely and taxied to the gate; the incident is under review and there were no reported injuries.
Washington, DC, is gearing up for the United States' 250th birthday celebration with 850,000 fireworks, planned flyovers, and a notably long presidential address, in hot conditions.
A photo gallery covers Fourth of July celebrations in the DC region, including a promised 850,000-shell Salute to America 250 on the National Mall; despite dangerous heat that caused some disruptions, the events largely proceeded, though severe weather later forced evacuations and disrupted festivities around the Mall.