From his vantage point at the time of the Declaration of Independence, it was easy for Founding Father John Adams to foresee that the signing would be celebrated each year. He was just a bit off on how.
He declared, "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."
The recognized date of the signing ended up being July 4 and not July 2, as Adams had predicted. Also, the inclusion of “solemn acts of devotion to God almighty” in our traditional observance has not much been done.
While the Declaration of Independence was formally adopted on July 4th, Adams emphasized the significance of the Continental Congress's vote for independence on July 2nd, viewing it as the true act of separation from Great Britain.
On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Richard Henry Lee's resolution declaring the 13 American colonies independent from Great Britain.
In a letter to his daughter on July 5, 1777, Adams noted that the first anniversary of American independence was celebrated with proper festivity and ceremony. He stated that the idea of taking notice of the special day was not conceived in time for a sermon to be presented, “as everyone wished, so this must be deferred to another year.”
Adams went on to become the first vice president of the United States, serving under George Washington. He was then elected as the second President. His son John Quincy Adams was later elected the sixth president.
Today, we vigorously celebrate the anniversary of our independence from Great Britain, but we typically do not think of a sermon as part of that celebration. “Fireworks, not fire and brimstone.”
As we celebrate the independence of our country, let us do so with thankful hearts for the founders who were brave in their pursuit of our freedom, as well as those who have protected that freedom over the last two hundred forty-nine years. Let us also dutifully pray for our present leaders as they continue to pursue a path of freedom and peace through strength.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler’s beat is the colorful and positive about Alabama -- her people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at [email protected].
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