Dossier
A Great and Grateful Nation: From Grievance to Gratitude
Coverage of A Great and Grateful Nation: From Grievance to Gratitude in the Nexus archive.
- A forgotten 1776 celebration launched America’s booming fireworks tradition
The article reveals that America's fireworks tradition originated on May 16, 1776, when Virginians, including James Madison and John Augustine Washington, declared independence from Britain amid British tyranny. This event predates the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence and marks the 250th anniversary in 2026.