Happy birthday, America! A 233-year-old needs a lot of candles, and for the fireworks industry, July 4 is Christmas. Over the past decade, the sector has almost tripled to nearly $1 billion in yearly revenue. But not everyone wants you, the consumer, to celebrate with a bang. A few of these fine united states -- including Fast Company's home state of New York -- still ban retail fireworks sales. Everyone else, shoot off a bottle rocket for us, will you? -- Zachary Wilson

Sat, July 04
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Independence Day

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