“Celebrate your country’s independence by blowing up a small part of it.” – Apu (The Simpsons)

The 4th of July. Independence Day. The birth of our American nation. The most patriotic of all US holidays. The national day of our nation. A great time to specialize in the pyrotechnics trade.

The history lesson of why we celebrate the 4th of July is one of the first we learn as children in this country. Quick recap: On July 2nd, 1776, The Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, the legal separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain. The date that appears on the Declaration of Independence is July 4th, thus became the official day on which we celebrate the event.

And when one thinks of the 4th of July, one thinks of fireworks. This explosive tradition of blowing things up to celebrate had been with Europeans long before they settled the Americas. Their popularity only grew through time so it’s appropriate that John Adams, one of our founding fathers and signers of the Declaration of Independence wrote on July 3rd, 1776, “The day will be most memorable in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival…It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade…bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”

The very first celebration of Independence Day in 1777, six years before Americans would even know if they would survive the war with Great Britain, included fireworks in the festivities. The tradition has only grown more popular with time.

And while the use of fireworks has been common to accompany other celebrations, we ignite more colorful combustibles for the Fourth of July than any other national celebration in the world. Because that’s one thing we have always been good at in America… blowing things up!

To watch some things loudly explode in San Diego, there are many displays that will be going off at once, and of course, when coupled with the beautiful ocean vistas, California is truly blessed with some of the most fantastic displays in the country. And this year, if you do get to enjoy some fantastic displays, appreciate them just a little more as many parts of the country had to forgo their annual fireworks due to budgets or natural disasters.

Here is a breakdown of some of the more prime areas to view:

San Diego Bay – 9 pm. Big Bay Boom. The name says it all. In its 11th year, this display features multiple barges discharging simultaneously from around Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero and Chula Vista. There will also be a display from the end of the Imperial Beach Pier.

Coronado: Glorietta Bay – 9 pm. The fireworks will compliment the 63rd Annual Independence Day Parade: A Salute to America’s Heroes (which will be held at 10 am).

Mira Mesa Recreational Center – 9 pm. The park will feature food, games and rides during the day leading up the fireworks display at night that will be set off from the Mira Mesa High School fields.

Ocean Beach Pier – 9 pm. OB features one of the only dog-friendly beaches so if your pup isn’t scared of the noises, this might be a good viewing place to include your four-legged pal in the celebrations.

Mission Bay: Sea World – 9:30 pm. Sea World does fireworks all summer long, but you know they have something special planned for the 4th. Prime viewing can be had all along Crown Point and the Sea World and Mission Bay areas.

And if you plan on taking Apu’s advice (if you didn’t get the reference, you don’t watch enough Simpsons), please be SAFE and have a wonderful 4th from everyone here at SanDiego.com.