I have heard or read this was common in Rome on the Tiber and the biggest field pieces (like 305 Siege mortars) wee limbered up. i do not know if the custom is still observed it does seem a trifle violent. hwoevr fireworks are assoc iated with other Italian celebraitons some of them religious.
party cannons are
party cannons are but not the ones you are talking about
Italian Christmas is rich in tradition and truer to the Christian origin than most Western country's. Italians still celebrate century old customs surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ
Babagnowsky
Some Italians say 'Buon Natale' ['Merry Christmas'], because they're Catholic. They seek to share the joyful time of the Nativity, and do so through this friendly greeting. Other Italians aren't Catholic, but are Christians of Protestantdenominations, such as in northwestern Italy. They too wish to share the season's joy by way of kindly holiday greetings. Still other Italians aren't Christian. They may practice another faith, or no faith at all. But they respect the holidays of other religions, and show this by helping to spread the holiday cheer to humankind. And yet other Italians give no particular religious or spiritual significance to the season. But they too take advantage of the opportunity to be of good cheer to the world.
According to an aunt of mine who was born in Italy when the Empire was still up and running- in l897 in fact. the big gun among Christmas customs- was indeed a martial one- Huge Cannons ( Army 305mm howitzers, probably) were fired off precisely on 2359.30 to allow for the flare shells which would simulate a comet- hence the Bethlehem star. More mundane fireworks also figured in Italian Christmas customs- of course the Religious observance were and are paramount- what with Rome being the head of the Church. The 305's were fired off on the Tiber, in Rome. I guess other Italian cities followed this custom also.
"Cannons" by Phil Wickham, from the album "Cannons".
yes, in certain wars, and sometimes for memorial purposes.
Wine can't fermentate with spit.
Christmas is still called Christmas in Nigeria.
Its still called Christmas
Yes, they were. Also cannons were in use at the time.