(July 5, 2009) -- On July 3, 1776, John Adams, wrote his wife Abigail a letter one day day after the Continental Congress voted to declare the 13 colonies (by then calling themselves "states") independent from Great Britain.
The famous Declaration to this effect was signed the next day, July 4th...although Mr. Adams predicted July 2 would be celebrated as the big day.
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, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
233 years later (plus a couple of days), so it was. Americans at the western end of the Continent enjoyed pyrotechnics at the Los Alamitos, CA Joint Forces Training Center. For video, click image below:
