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Remembering the American tradition of reckless abandon on the night before July Fourth

NPR | By Matt Ozug
Published July 3, 2026 at 5:09 PM EDT

Bonfires were a regular part of life in early U.S. history. Before the wide adoption of municipal firework displays, these giant fires, some many stories high, were common.

Copyright 2026 NPR
Matt Ozug
[Copyright 2024 NPR]
See stories by Matt Ozug

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