EU New Year celebrations: New Year′s fireworks accidents kill at least five in Europe

Five people were killed in separate fireworks accidents in Germany and Denmark during celebrations to mark the New Year, authorities said on Thursday.

German police said a 19-year-old man died early on Thursday in Striegistal in the eastern state of Saxony when trying to light illegal firecrackers. They said another man was severely injured in the accident.

Another man, 18, died of severe head injuries in the town of Alveslohe in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein after being hit by a firecracker.

Among the many injured during the night into Thursday was a 23-year-old many in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, who lost four fingers when a firecracker blew up in his hands. A nine-year-old boy in Hesse was also wounded in the neck when a man tried to fire a rocket with a gun.

Read more: New Year′s fireworks accidents kill at least five in Europe | News | DW.DE | 01.01.2015

USA: This Fourth Of July, Stop To Thank Chinese Alchemists - by Alex Knap

When the Continental Congress in 1776 passed its motion for independence from Great Britain, John Adams wrote to his wife that the day should be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

In the succeeding years, Adams’ prediction bore fruit (though he thought the date to be celebrated would be July 2, the day of the vote, not July 4, the date on the Declaration.) And one of the biggest parts of our Independence Day celebrations is the “Illuminations” – also known as fireworks.

But where do fireworks come from in the first place? The answer lies in Chinese alchemy.

Well, actually, I’m getting a little ahead of myself. The concept of fireworks predates what we think of as fireworks – burning chemicals, rockets, etc. The practice of making fireworks, based on the accounts we have, dates back to the second century B.C.E. in China, when people would burn bamboo to create explosions. (Try it yourself, if your local law allows it. The air pockets in the bamboo create satisfying booms as the bamboo burns.)

But of course, what really made fireworks what we know and love today is gunpowder. Gunpowder was discovered somewhat inadvertently by Chinese alchemists, who were trying to develop an elixir of immortality.

If you’re not aware, there are three primary components to gunpowder: saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal.

Chinese alchemists have a long tradition of working with all three of these chemicals. Saltpeter is relatively uncommon in Europe, because it’s more likely to form at higher temperatures. But it’s abundant in China, and records indicate that alchemists were able to determine whether they’d found saltpeter by burning it back in the 3rd century C.E. (Saltpeter turns a bright purple when you burn it, thanks to the potassium.) Saltpeter had been used for centuries prior to that, with its first mentions coming in the second century B.C.E., but it was probably in use in the 4th century B.C.E. or earlier.

Read more: This Fourth Of July, Stop To Thank Chinese Alchemists - Forbes

Dutch spending 65 million euros on fireworks

The Dutch are predicted to spend 65 million euros ($100 million) on fireworks to set off over the New Year. Fireworks sellers are prepared for a busy day today, and last minute buyers are willing to queue for hours.

In the Netherlands fireworks are only allowed to go on sale in the three days leading up to the New Year. There are 1600 sales points which all have to meet strict regulations for a licence.

At first sales were slow, but they soon picked up. The Dutch consumer association for fireworks says purchases of decorative fireworks are up, while noisy fireworks have dropped 40 percent in some shops. Two years ago, it was the bangers that were the most popular.

For more: Dutch spend 65 million on fireworks | Radio Netherlands Worldwide

RNW: Dutch 2009 fireworks already a problem

For the complete report from Radio Netherlands click on this link

Dutch 2009 fireworks already a problem

The Netherlands is gearing itself up for New Year's Eve, which people traditionally mark with firework displays. Last year, the Dutch spent between 60 and 65 million euros on fireworks. Despite the economic malaise, they are expected to top that amount this week.Fireworks can only be used between 10 a.m. on New Year's Eve and 2 a.m. on New Year's Day, but the police had already received over 200 complaints about the use of firecrackers and the like on Monday. In the city of Utrecht, more than 50 people have already been charged for incidents involving fireworks.