(CNSNews.com) – Americans declared their independence from Britain on July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams called “the most memorable epocha in the history of America.”
Congress approved the Declaration two days later, on July 4, which we now celebrate as Independence Day.
Writing to his wife on July 3, 1776 from Philadelphia, John Adams said he believed the occasion would be “celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”
He described how he believed Americans should mark the day:
[Disclaimer]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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.
