Ever since the earliest settlers brought their enthusiasm for fireworks to the United States, patriotic citizens have celebrated numerous occasions by setting off these bright and colorful explosive displays.

While July 4 has become synonymous with setting off fireworks, the very first celebration of Independence Day was in 1777, six years before Americans knew whether the new nation would survive the war.

Ever since that first celebration, spectacular showings of Independence Day fireworks have often been accompanied by patriotic songs such as the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, God Bless America and America the Beautiful, among many others.

As firework shows are held in many states, the largest display ever was held right in New York City.

In 2009, the colorful explosives lit the night sky, shooting 1,000 feet into the air above the Statue of Liberty on an Independence Day that began with the statue's crown opening to the public for the first time since Sept. 11, 2001.

With more than 22 tons of pyrotechnics spanning over a mile-and-a-half of the Hudson River, it was the nation's biggest fireworks display.

With people in every major city gathering to commemorate America's Independence Day, the sheer of size of the five to 10 minute shows are a symbol of how far we've come and how much we have to really appreciate.

So Click Start to see where you can go to check out some America's greatest firework displays.

The Big Bay Boom - San Diego, Calif.
Set on Mission Bay in San Diego, Calif., fireworks will be discharged simultaneously from barges placed strategically around the Bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, North Embarcadero and Chula Vista. The show will light up the night sky this holiday, on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, beginning at 9 p.m. Creative Commons
Mississippi River Fireworks - Alton, Miss.
Alton's Mississippi River Fireworks Festival is held at Riverfront Park. There's food, beer, live entertainment and a big fireworks display, set against the beautiful Clark Bridge. Fireworks go off a 9 p.m. Creative Commons
Lights on the Lake - Lake Tahoe, Calif.
With around 100,000 visitors every year, Lights on the Lake impresses with its23-minute show of 5,000 fireworks, which are shot from a barge in the middle of the lake. Spectators can see the show starting at 9:45 p.m. Vantage points include the shore, the docks, or even a paddleboat on the lake. Creative Commons
Charles River - Boston, Mass.
One of the most well-know firework displays takes place in one America's most well-known cities. The firework show above Charles River in Boston, Mass. is said to cost $2.5 million for for the entire show, which includes 20,000 pounds of fireworks are set off during the 21-minute spectacle.The riverbank tends to get crowded, so bring a blanket and stake out a spot early for the 8:00 p.m. showing Creative Commons
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