The Independence Day Horror at Killsbury

"The Independence Day Horror at Killsbury" by Asenath Carver Coolidge is an early 20th-century story that looks at what can happen when Independence Day celebrations go wrong. It's about how fireworks can be really dangerous, especially for kids. The story follows the Cornwallis family, and especially a young boy named Laurens, whose life takes a terrible turn because of an accident on the Fourth of July, showing how dangerous these celebrations could be. The story kicks off with a happy scene in Killsbury on Independence Day, but it quickly becomes clear that fireworks can be unsafe. Laurens and his family are celebrating his birthday, but there are hints that something bad might happen. As the day continues, everyone gets worried about Laurens, particularly because Millionaire Schwarmer is handing out fireworks to the children. The start of the book makes it clear that the story is about how quickly innocence can be lost and how important it is to change the way holidays are celebrated so that kids aren't put in danger, making a statement about the risks tied to these holiday practices.