A “Ben Franklin lightning rod” protected the country’s oldest statehouse. The Maryland State House in Annapolis, shown in April 2014, was struck by lightning Friday night. (Patrick Semansky/AP)If stormy weather postpones the traditional Washington fireworks display, it will not be the first time: It happened as long ago as 1941. More than mere rain, it is the possibility of such atmospheric hazards as lightning that appears to concern officials most. But a “flashing, booming storm” fmeant no man made fireworks that day.

Source: Washington Post July 02, 2016 19:51 UTC