Independence Day as John Adams saw it

 

 

A PMC Parade in Chester about 1964

To all my readers, have a wonderful and safe July 4th!!

 

 

 

 

John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail in early July of 1776 describing his thoughts on the founding of our nation and the celebrations to come.

 

“But the Day is past.  The Independence Day, will be the most memorable Epochal, 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.

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 triumph in that Days Transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

  The funny thing is Adams was talking about July 2, 1776. On that day the majority of the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence that day, making that day, so Adams thought our Independence Day. Other delegates would sign later but Adams thought for a number of years that July 2nd, would always be our Independence Day.