The citizens of Morton, Minnesota, are probably doing a repeat performance of this pyrotechnic display today as they join the rest of the US in a celebration of Independence Day. If you want to blow the minds of your family and friends at the barbecue, steer the conversation toward fireworks and casually drop this truth bomb: Gunpowder, the fuel that makes the fireworks explode, was invented in ancient China by Taoist alchemists who hoped to create an immortality elixir. That’s some dramatic irony, at least in hindsight. Be safe!
Let’s celebrate
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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World Environment Day
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Saguaro cacti, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona
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Ingenuity in action on the Santa Monica Pier
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Upper Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park
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An oceanic valentine
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International Museum Day
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The Feathers at Frenchman Coulee near Vantage, Washington
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World Architecture Day
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Seventeen arches at sunset
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April Fools Day
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Guiding ships to safety
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Arrr, it be Talk Like a Pirate Day
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Birds of a feather flocking together
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A path to access
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Pegadung Rock, Lampung, Sumatra, Indonesia
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Mitsumata blossoms
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Nature Photography Day
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Ljubljana, Slovenia
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International Museum Day
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Welcome to the drainpipe of the Pacific
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Behold the perfect cone
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Cross this bridge if you dare
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Citizenship Day and Constitution Day
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Mesmerizing murmuration
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Celebrating a young girl s age-old discovery
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Dark Sky Week
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Reflections of the night sky
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It s National Camera Day. Get the picture?
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Celebrating Bike to Work Week, May 14-18
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The power of the forest