Massive explosion of glowing colors in the sky late in the evening as darkness began to settle in.

It was in the late 1960s when I was a child.  Late in the evening when darkness started to set in. A massive explosion of glowing colors lit up the sky.  Neighbors all around went outside and those who were already outdoors looked up to view it scratching their heads, asking one another if they had any idea what it was?   We were all puzzled and had no answers.  I watched from where I felt safe inside looking at it and everyone outside from our picture window in our living room.
Witness elects to provide no contact information.  PD