Sparks and Smoke!

Every summer on the Fourth of July, Americans break out the grills, gather in backyards, and light up the night sky with brilliant bursts of color. Independence Day is a beloved celebration of freedom, food, and fiery fun. But how did this national holiday become associated with barbeque and fireworks in the first place?

It all traces back to July 4, 1777 — a year after the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. This special day was celebrated in Philadelphia with a parade, a public dinner, speeches, music, and an artillery salute. But the real centerpiece? Fireworks. According to the Pennsylvania Evening Post “the evening was closed with the ringing of bells and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, and the city was beautifully illuminated.” Fireworks were a part of celebrating our country’s independence from the very beginning.

In the 18th century, fireworks weren’t just entertainment — they represented power, triumph, and celestial awe. Thus, nothing evoked “the birth of a new nation” quite like lighting up the sky. As time passed, and the U.S. expanded, so too did the popularity of fireworks. By the 19th century, cities and towns across the country featured some form of pyrotechnic display.

Barbecues, meanwhile, took a more indirect path into Independence Day traditions. The origins of American barbecue trace back to Indigenous American and Caribbean cooking techniques. Over time, these culinary traditions were adopted by colonists in the South who adapted them to their tastes. By the 1800s, the communal roasting of meats — particularly pork —  was common, especially in the summer months when crops were growing and communities had time to gather.

The Fourth of July took on new significance after the Civil War. Beyond just a celebration of independence, it now came to symbolize national unity as well. Barbecues burgeoned in popularity across the South and West, frequently accompanied by patriotic speeches and civic festivities. As settlers migrated westward, many carried these traditions with them, so that by the early 20th century, July 4th barbecues were as common in Eugene and Portland as they were in Memphis and Cleveland.

The Fourth of July celebration today is a deeply American patchwork of old and new — historical memory combined with hot dogs, sparklers, and playlists echoing thematic songs from Springsteen to Sousa. In the Northwest, where natural beauty is at our doorstep, Independence Day is often celebrated outdoors: on the river or on the beach.

Let us not forget, though, the deeper meaning — those fireworks echo the “rockets’ red glare” of battle, and our barbecues bring people together in the spirit of community and memory. Whether you’re flipping burgers in Ashland or watching fireworks explode over the Willamette, you’re part of a living tradition that’s evolved over 247 years.

So this July 4th, raise a glass, light a sparkler, and savor that smoky bite. You’re not just celebrating a holiday — you’re partaking in a ritual as old as the nation itself!