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Fireworks

fireworks over NYC

Red, white but rarely blue — the science of fireworks colors, explained

Science

Most of us look forward to the fireworks on the Fourth of July. But did you ever wonder how the chemists create those colors that light up the night sky? Are some colors harder to create than others?

Fourth of July fireworks over San Diego, 2014

Why did we start using fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July?

Culture
Flashy multi-colored lights from China have become popular in India for the Hindu festival of Diwali. But this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is asking Indians to go the traditional route and use clay oil pots made in India.

I wanted the flashy electric lights for Diwali, but my dad wanted the boring oil lamps

Culture
Kumar

Watch an immigrant’s take on the most American of holidays

Arts, Culture & Media

Olympic Games begin

New Research Suggests Gold on Earth a Result of Crashing Stars

The really spectacular explosions in the universe involve the creation of black holes, the explosion of gas giants and pulsars. Those fireworks are spectacular, but they only produce hydrogen, helium, lead and lots of obscure radioactive isotopes. It’s the cooler space collisions that forge more useful metals like iron, silver, platinum, diamond and gold. New […]

Chinese New Year Earns Stamp of Approval

For the Chinese, this Lunar New Year  marks the Year of the Snake, a creature of the Chinese Zodiac that embodies  gracefulness, materialism, and intelligence. Brooklyn-based illustrator  Kam Mak’s work can be seen in the Postal Service’s commemorative stamp for this Chinese New Year. It’s a beautiful image of fireworks, common to the Lunar New Year celebrations of […]

Tragic Fireworks Explosion in Nigeria

Conflict & Justice

There was a deadly fire Wednesday in Nigeria’s biggest city, Lagos that killed at least one person and injured 30 others.

The World

The Nature and Art of Fireworks

They say what goes up must come down. And when fireworks fall back to earth, they can deliver some heavy duty metals and toxics. But is that pollution enough to keep them grounded?

The World

New Year in Sydney; Munich and New York still preparing

Arts, Culture & Media

We sprint around the globe from east to west, beginning with a call from the future.