Warbird Information Exchange

...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 forevermore. - John Adams 1776

Ryan

John Adams wrote the above in a letter to his wife on July 3. It actually began "The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epocha in the history of America... " July 2 was the day of the resolution of independence. America celebrates the day of the final "declaration of independence." He missed it by a couple of days. Another little known fact is the Declaration of Independence wasn't signed by most of the delegates until August 2.