Monday, check on your stock portfolio. Tuesday, see how Paris is adjusting to civilian life. Wednesday, shoot off fireworks.

July 4 falls on a hump day this year. Has this constrained the spirit of independence among working stiffs angling for a long weekend? Maybe not: Look-ups for "fourth of july" in the past six months have been about a third higher than during the same period in 2006. It could be a mix of people doing advance vacation planning, and others figuring out how to pack their celebrations into a single day in the middle of the week.

We can always rely upon fireworks—or can we? City bans may be putting a damper on "fireworks" searches, which are a third lower than last year. Then again, if we add up surreptitious buzz for individual purveyors and "firework stores," interest skyrockets. Call us old-fashioned, but the DIY queries on "how to make homemade fireworks" make us run for the garden hose. Fortunately, a lot more prefer their pyrotechics from pros like these.

Phantom Fireworks TNT Fireworks Black Cat Fireworks Consumer Fireworks Shelton Fireworks

Jake's Fireworks Brothers Fireworks Red Devil Fireworks Keystone Fireworks American Fireworks

By the way, while more guys are into plain "fireworks" searches, ladies seem to be more into public displays of reflection with "july 4 fireworks." As for public displays, Detroit once again is the most fired-up region in the nation, both in searches for "fireworks" and for putting on the most sought-after show online. Check out which skies to look towards next week...

 

Detroit Freedom Festival Fireworks Pennsylvania Fireworks Indiana Fireworks Ohio Fireworks Wisconsin Fireworks

Chicago Fireworks Texas Fireworks Missouri Fireworks New Hampshire Fireworks Colorado Fireworks