July 4, 2012, might be a distant memory for you, but it isn’t for hundreds of thousands who witnessed perhaps the most amazing—and brief—fireworks displays in history.

Due to a computer glitch, more than 7,000 fireworks shells went off simultaneously over San Diego Bay on July 4. Instead of witnessing a 20-minute-long show that built to a grand finale, spectators “oohed” and “ahhed” for less than 30 seconds. The sound was deafening; the images, unforgettable.

And I’m guessing that any fireworks employees who were near the launch site will be a touch recoil-sensitive the next time they pull the trigger on Independence Day.

Until next time ...