Celebrating the Fourth of July

Each year on July 4^th, we celebrate the birth of our republic.  On July 2, 1776, our founding fathers took a stand and voted to legally separate the thirteen Colonies from Great Britain’s rule.  Thereafter, these courageous men hammered out the details of the Declaration of Independence which officially stated the intentions of the separation.  On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was officially adopted by the Second Continental Congress.  Hence, it is on this date that we celebrate our country’s independence; yet, the fight for independence would continue for another seven years.  In a letter to his wife, Abigail, dated July 5, 1776, founding father, John Adams, predicted the significance of the day upon which the vote to legally separate from Great Britain occurred as follows:

          “The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

 

          Adams' prediction was accurate, but the date of celebration falls on July 4, not July 2.  Hence, from 1776 until today, Americans have chosen to celebrate the Day of Independence in much the same fashion.