After living here for several years, Matt and I finally went downtown for the first (and probably last) time to take part in the 4th of July festivities. Here are a few pics from the fireworks display:

“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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward for evermore.”
John Adams, in a letter to wife Abigail, July 3, 1776

Matt and I just finished the last episode of the HBO series “John Adams,” based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by David McCullough. I bought him the series for his birthday last week and we made it through all 7 episodes in 6 days. It was very good, especially the final episode. We both knew how it would end.

DON’T READ THE NEXT PARAGRAPH IF YOU DON’T KNOW HOW THOMAS JEFFERSON AND JOHN ADAMS DIED!!!!!

Even though you know something about history, it’s always interesting to see how it might have actually happened. It’s fascinating enough that both men, having been so instrumental in the Declaration of Independence, would die on the 50th anniversary of the document. What is even more compelling is that Adams’ last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” He was not aware that Jefferson had actually died hours before him.

God knows I am not a history person despite having a degree in poly-sci, but that is one of those facts that one doesn’t forget. McCullough is a genius, not for writing a story that couldn’t have a more complete ending, but for recognizing it as such and capturing it in his novel. Matt is foaming at the mouth to read it now, and I already can’t wait for him to get it and finish it. There were some parts of the HBO series that lost my interest, but overall it was really good.

So… back to the title and the opening quote. Nevermind July 2nd for now. We were watching a special feature on the DVD about David McCullough and toward the end he reads this quote. It’s very revealing in the foresight that Adams had in the importance of the day and how it should be commemorated. It brings a greater meaning behind the traditions we have in celebrating Independence Day. It used to be my favorite holiday, though I haven’t observed it with as much fervor over the past few years. Not sure of the reason. I guess I can blame it on Matt! Hahaha! But this year I’m really looking forward to seeing a huge fireworks display and pausing to consider its grandeur and how such glory symbolizes our Nation’s history.

Now, the date. I googled to get clarification on this and found this great summary on the Pittsburgh Post Gazette website:

Little of note happened on July 4, 1776
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
By Bill Toland, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Party like it’s two days ago

It’s Independence Day! The Fourth of July! The day that — wait, what exactly happened on this day in 1776? The honest answer is, very little of note, at least not in the minds of the men who were there. Lots of people think our Declaration of Independence was signed on that day — not true. It was signed for the first time on Aug. 2, 1776, and signatures were applied for months afterwards, as the members of our fledgling congress returned from their distant states to put their John Hancock on the document. So, was the vote to dissolve the ties between the colonies and the king taken on July 4? No, sorry, delegates to the Continental Congress endorsed the idea of a Declaration of Independence on July 2. John Adams, the second American president, wrote in a letter to his wife, Abigail, that “the second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America … 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.” On July 4, the congress approved a final, edited version of the document, but that event was an afterthought to the statesmen who cast their courageous, treasonous votes two days earlier. Yet by the following year, July 4 — the date that appears on the Declaration itself — and not July 2 was the anniversary date that was being celebrated by Philadelphians and the Continental Congress. And the date stuck.

Pretty funny, huh? Who says history has to be boring? :)

Here’s wishing everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. I hope you take time to reflect on why the 4th of July warrants days off work, banks and post offices being closed, increased gas prices, and million dollar firework displays. Let Adams’ words and this important day be celebrated “from this time forward for evermore.”