Update: Must have been delayed; we finally heard explosions at about 10:45 PM. We have word, thanks to Notify NYC that tomorrow — Thursday, July 27 — starting at 9:00 PM, there will be a fireworks display in the vicinity of Liberty Island, which should be visible, and certainly audible, from Brooklyn Neights.
What’s the occasion? We did some research on July 27 holidays. We doubt that the fireworks are in celebration of National Chicken Finger Day, National Chili Dog Day, or even National Refreshment Day. The strongest candidate is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. Ironically, this is celebrated in North Korea as the Day of Victory. July 27 is celebrated in Cuba as the anniversary of the onset of the revolution that brought Fidel Castro to power. We doubt the fireworks are for that. Three “I” countries — Iran, Iraq, and Israel — none of which has much liking for the other two, all have July 27 holidays, but they are all mournful rather than celebratory ones. For Iranians it’s Tasoua Hosseini, commemorating the martyrdom of the Prophet’s grandson. In Iraq it’s Ashura, which has different meanings for Shia and Sunni Muslims, but for both is a day of fasting. In Israel, and for Jews worldwide, it’s the Fast of the Ninth of Av, which commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples. On lighter notes, in Finland it’s Sleepyhead Day, in Japan it’s Watermelon Day, and in Peru it’s one of six Non Working Days (for public employees). It’s also International Bagpipe Appreciation Day, and to celebrate that, since it’s also National Scotch Day, you can raise a glass of your favorite single malt or blend while listening to the pipes.
