Exhibition Opening: Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks
Join us for the explosive opening of Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks.
In 2026 the Science History Institute will mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a sparkling new exhibition that explores the long and global history of fireworks.
With objects ranging from historic rare books and fine art, to consumer catalogs and the latest pyrotechnic technologies, this exhibition will allow visitors to gain a deeper understanding of centuries of knowledge among pyrotechnical makers in an intriguing walk through the history and chemistry of fireworks in the context of our nation’s 250th anniversary.
On display in our museum, located just blocks from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Old City Philadelphia, Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks will have high visibility and be a unique contribution to our nation’s celebrations.
This event is FREE, but registration is required. Signups will open in early 2026!
Featured image: Panorama of the National Firework Display at Hyde Park, 19th July, 1919, colorized illustration from Pyrotechnics: The History and Art of Firework Making, 1922.
More events
Othmer Library Tour
Curious about the other half of the Science History Institute? Step into the Othmer Library of Chemical History!
Stories of Science: 2025 Wrapped
Join us in our museum EVERY SATURDAY for a family-friendly program that highlights strange and surprising stories from the history of science!
School Lunch Tour
This interactive drop-in tour reveals how food scientists, the government, and the public have shaped in-school nutrition.