During the next few days, millions of families in the U.S. will be taking part in an annual tradition: celebrating Independence Day by viewing a fireworks show. Some shows will be small (and dangerous) events put on by families in the neighborhood while others will be gigantic extravaganzas staged by one of four multigenerational family businesses like Fireworks by Grucci.
Grucci is a sixth-generation, family-owned and operated company. Known as “America’s First Family of Fireworks,” the Gruccis have transformed the night skies to the delight of millions across the globe since 1850. As with any family business that has survived so long, there have been challenges and set-backs along with the successes and accolades. Most tragic was an explosion that leveled the company’s factory in 1983, killing two family members. Rising from the ashes with help from other companies, the family persevered so that today, it still excites and inspires millions of families who see their shows each year at events around the world.
A few of the historic events which have featured Fireworks by Grucci
- Seven consecutive U.S. Presidential inaugurations
- Olympic Games Salt Lake City, Los Angeles and Lake Placid
- Centennial of the Statue of Liberty
- Centennial of the Brooklyn Bridge
- 200th Anniversary of the National Anthem
See a Grucci Fireworks show | Upcoming shows
Other multi-generational fireworks families
In addition to Grucci, there are three other family businesses going back five generations that stage major fireworks shows. Each one is over a century old and, like Grucci, were started by Italian or Portuguese immigrants. The photo above was taken during a July 4th Zambelli Fireworks display in Nashville, Tenn..
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(Photo: Paul Polichronakis via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)