Caption Contest (Image Source: Of Making Fire-Works) | Newberry

Caption Contest (Image Source: Of Making Fire-Works)

Posted on July 1, 2020

Winning caption: And thus, the need for explicit safety directions on the packaging of the ill-fated “Venetian candles” was born. – Regina Buccola

Image source: Of Making Fire-Works, ca. 1840. Part of a collection of chapbooks at the Newberry.

Comments

Submitted by Linda Gottschall on July 2, 2020

Samantha tests the benefits of hair bun earmuff protection during her family's raucous Independence Day fireworks celebration.

Submitted by GORDON GROOM on July 2, 2020

Imagine their disappointment when revelers were issued whisk brooms instead of the promised sparklers!

Submitted by Kristin Emery on July 2, 2020

Jes' poppin' off in me britches wif me boys!

Submitted by Donald James Ge... on July 2, 2020

"If I stuff the ballot box, it still won't change the winner in this contest."

Submitted by Barb Francis on July 2, 2020

Blood of my blood, to death before hot dogs see ketchup.

Submitted by Constance Greene on July 2, 2020

Oh it’s all fun and games until someone gets a corneal abrasion from a whisk broom!

Submitted by Regina Buccola on July 2, 2020

And thus, the need for explicit safety directions on the packaging of the ill-fated "Venetian candles" was born.

Submitted by Wesley on July 2, 2020

Errol Flynn will make this look easy!

Submitted by Tony Volpe on July 2, 2020

Aha! So you thought these were for sweeping the floors! En Garde!

Submitted by DJ C-Chin on July 2, 2020

As this eyewitness' picture clearly shows, it was not O'Leary's cow but these 3 reckless ne'er do wells with sparklers that started the Great Chicago Fire, alas!

Submitted by Gloria Picchetti on July 2, 2020

Hamilton? Your place or mine!

Submitted by Steve Wolfe on July 3, 2020

Blue cap guy: Who needs Navy Pier? We'll always have Indiana! Red cap guy: Here's to the 4th, Hoosier mama!