Conductor Seiji Ozawa leads the Boston Pops Orchestra on July 4, 1999, in Boston. Nearly 500,000 people watched a spectacular fireworks show after the concert.

The Boston Pops Orchestra introduced Americans in 1900 to the now widespread tradition of presenting concerts of classical music mixed with Broadway show tunes, film music, hits from the big band era and patriotic favorites.

On the Fourth of July, the Boston Pops performs its free outdoor concert featuring the popular “1812 Overture.” Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s work now is a traditional Independence Day feature around the United States, even though the piece was written to commemorate Russia’s victory over Napoleon’s army and has no connection to U.S. events. Music historians attribute its popularity to its strong melodic line and use of cannon fire, which adds a percussive charge that thrills audiences. Often musicians use very large bass drums to simulate cannon fire. (© AP Images)