Gage Greer

250 years ago, on July 2nd, 1776, the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain. John Adams wrote to his wife the next 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.” Well, not quite. On July 4th, the delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence — and that has been the day for celebrations ever since.

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