ohn Adams predicted that July 2nd would be the most memorable date in American history ”” a date that “will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival … 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 forevermore.”
He got everything right but the date. The 4th day of July 1776 is indeed the definitive date in American history. Nothing else comes close. When we hear 1776, we are invariably reminded of the Founders in Philadelphia and the noble purpose and principles of our nation’s beginning. We tend to call our national birthday not Independence Day, but the Fourth of July, and that name floods our minds with lifetime memories of flags, marching bands, red, white and blue bunting draped on picket fences, hot dogs, potato salad, friends, family and fireworks.
So, why would Adams think it would be the 2nd day of July that would burn itself indelibly into our national soul?
I flew my Grand Union on Friday to commemorate the date. I’m partial to JA, though.
This is a great article for those many of us deficient in some details of US history.
My favorite bit of history concerning Adams and Jefferson is that they both died on July 4, 1826, 50 years after the signing of the declaration.