Happy American Independence Day!

[xiphias]

"But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, 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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfire 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."

-- John Adams, in a letter to Abigal Adams, July 3, 1776

Comments

[mattblum.livejournal.com]

Quite right. Poor John Adams. Not only does practically nobody these days know that he wrote a fair bit of the Declaration (in revisions), but we persist in celebrating independence on the day the document was approved, not on the day independence was actually declared.

The reason why this happened, as I understand it, is that, in 1777, Congress didn't think to commemorate the event until the morning of July 4, so that became the standard.

As it happens, too, if they'd gotten it right and celebrated on July 2, the date of Adams's and Jefferson's deaths (and James Monroe, too, seven years later) wouldn't seem nearly so spookily appropriate.

I *knew* there was a reason...

[rebmommy.livejournal.com]

So that's why we had our family independence day barbeque on Saturday instead of today. We didn't have any shews or guns, but we had plenty of games, sports, and bonfires (if you count the two grills that were going). It was a fun, fun, funny day. Lots of good friends and family, lots of laughter and good food. A great way to celebrate whatever it is we celebrate on July 2nd through the 4th. Now, where is the parade?