WASHINGTON (AP) — The Fourth of July is about all things American: parades, cookouts, cold beer and of course, fireworks.
Those pyrotechnics remain at the center of Independence Day, a holiday 247 years in the making. Massive fireworks lit up the skyline of multiple American cities, marking festivities across the country.
Despite widespread education efforts, thousands of Americans are badly injured by fireworks each year. Still, consumer sales of fireworks have rapidly grown over the past two decades.
Fireworks explode over Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol, along the National Mall, during Fourth of July celebrations, in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Fireworks explode over Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and U.S. Capitol, along the National Mall, during Fourth of July celebrations, in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
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Fireworks mark Independence Day over Coors Field after the Colorado Rockies hosted the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Fireworks mark Independence Day over Coors Field after the Colorado Rockies hosted the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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Fireworks light up the sky above the Brooklyn Bridge during the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show on Friday, July 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Fireworks light up the sky above the Brooklyn Bridge during the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show on Friday, July 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Fireworks explode during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Fireworks explode during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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Fireworks explode during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Fireworks explode during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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Fireworks light up the sky above the Brooklyn Bridge during the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show on Friday, July 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Fireworks light up the sky above the Brooklyn Bridge during the Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks show on Friday, July 4, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
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Fireworks mark Independence Day over Coors Field after the Colorado Rockies hosted the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Fireworks mark Independence Day over Coors Field after the Colorado Rockies hosted the Chicago White Sox in a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
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A reporters watches as fireworks explode near the White House during a Fourth of July celebration, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
A reporters watches as fireworks explode near the White House during a Fourth of July celebration, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
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Fireworks explode near the Washington Monument during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Fireworks explode near the Washington Monument during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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Fans watch the fireworks show after a baseball game with the Athletics against the San Francisco Giants Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Fans watch the fireworks show after a baseball game with the Athletics against the San Francisco Giants Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
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Fireworks explode near the United States Air Force Memorial during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Fireworks explode near the United States Air Force Memorial during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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Fireworks explode near the United States Air Force Memorial during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
Fireworks explode near the United States Air Force Memorial during a Fourth of July celebration at the White House in Washington, Friday, July 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Pool)
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With the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial in the background, people dance to the song Y.M.C.A. on the South Lawn of the White House before fireworks Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
With the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial in the background, people dance to the song Y.M.C.A. on the South Lawn of the White House before fireworks Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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Statistics from the American Pyrotechnics Association show that in 2000, American consumers spent $407 million on fireworks. By 2024, that figure rose to $2.2 billion.
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
