July 4 in Delaware has been celebrated with 'unusual fervor' and yes, tons of fireworks

Lewes patriots had little to celebrate in May of 1776. The American colonists had been fighting the British for over a year, and the drift toward independence appeared inevitable. In southern Delaware, however, a squadron of British ships patrolled the mouth of Delaware Bay' and many residents of western Sussex County refused to join the Patriot cause.

A few days after Congress declared America independent, William Adair, of Lewes, wrote in his journal: “An express from Congress — Independence proclaimed at ye Head of ye Delaware Battalion — July 10 with 3 cheers.” Ten days later, the residents of Sussex County were still celebrating the break with England. Adair noted: “July 20. Independence declared at Lewes, 3 Cannon discharged and 3 Toasts.”

In 1876, Lewes celebrated July 4 with 'unusual fervor'

Over the years, residents of Delaware celebrated July 4th with varying degrees of cheers and gunpowder. In 1876, the people of Lewes commemorated the centennial of the Declaration of Independence with unusual fervor. Temporary grandstands were erected to accommodate the 2,000 people that attended the event.

According to the Wilmington Daily Commercial, “The most observable feature of the day was the parade of the Centennial guards, a company which had been organized some weeks previously by Capt. S.S. Bookhammer, who marched in Continental uniform, cocked hats, knee breeches, buckles and all.”

In addition to the obligatory patriotic speeches, the Wilmington Daily Commercial reported, “A salute of 100 guns was fired by the Guards, who deployed in the space in front of the stand and drilled with accuracy. A procession, headed by a representation of the Ship of State, composed of the 13 original colonies, drawn by four horses and profusely decorated with the attraction of a choir of school children, drew up back of the Guards, and the people then filled up the street as far as the eye would reach.”

At the conclusion of the formal part of the program, the crowd moved to Lewes Beach for fireworks, “comprising shooting stars and brilliant combinations of pleasing effect.

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In Wilmington in 1899, 'more fireworks ... than ever before'

The fireworks at Lewes Beach seemed to be under control, but in 1899, the people of Wilmington threw caution to the wind as they celebrated Independence Day. On July 5, 1899, the Wilmington Daily Republican reported, “The Nation’s birthday was celebrated yesterday in our city [Wilmington], and more fireworks were burned up than ever before in the history of the town. Every dealer in fireworks reported increased sales over those of last year The firing began right after 12 o’clock Monday night and was kept up incessantly all day. Youths with five and seven shooters kept things lively by their banging away while [firecrackers] … were enough to deafen one as they were exploded. The display of fireworks in the evening was creditable, and numerous private displays were much enjoyed. The day passed with few fatalities in the city and few fires. Altogether, the day was befittingly celebrated.”

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Modern July 4 celebrations more diverse, but fireworks of course remain

During the 20th century, the celebration of Independence Day grew more diverse and featured speeches, fireworks, baseball games, pie-eating and other contests. During World War II, they were necessarily subdued; but on July 2, 1943, the Delaware Coast News reported, “Determined to give the people of Lewes their customary July Fourth celebration, the Lewes Chamber of Commerce is going ahead with plans for an old-fashioned observance of street games and speeches.”

After the war, the fireworks displays were more elaborate, better organized and much safer. Unlike the Wilmington celebration of 1899, they never included the unbounded deafening firecrackers and “Youths with five and seven shooters kept by their lively by their banging away."

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Principal sources

Harold B. Hancock, “The Revolutionary War Diary of William Adair,” Delaware History, Vol. 13, No. 2, April, 19768, pp. 156-157.

Wilmington Daily Commercial, July 6, 1876.

Daily Republican, July 5, 1899.

Delaware Coast News, July 2, 1943. m

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: July 4 in Delaware has been celebrated with 'unusual fervor' and yes, tons of fireworks