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History of Esplanade celebration
In less than 30 years, Boston's Fourth of July celebration has firmly established itself as a tradition.
[ Article on July 4th Esplanade tradition ]
The Pops Fourth of July concerts date back to 1930, the year after the Esplanade was constructed, but the nationally televised celebration that is held now - with cannons, fireworks, and the tolling of church bells - began in 1974. That year, 75,000 people first gathered to hear Arthur Fiedler conduct the Boston Pops in Tchaikovsky's ''1812'' Overture.
[ Statistics on past 26 years of celebration ]
Keith Lockhart has conducted the Boston Pops Orchestra at this attraction since 1994.
Past July 4th conductors:
1974 - 1978 - Arthur Fiedler
1979 - Harry Ellis Dickinson
1980 - 1990 - John Williams
1991 - Harry Ellis Dickinson & Ronald Feldman
1992 - John Mauceri
1993 - John Williams
1994 - Marvin Hamlisch
1995 - Current Keith Lockhart
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