Most people do not realize that our actual Independence Day is July 2, not July 4. The vote to declare independence from England, by the Continental Congress, was held on July 2. John Adams was ecstatic and wrote to his wife, that evening:
“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 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.”
So, how did the celebration move to the 4th? The letter to King George, our Declaration of Independence, did not get adopted until July 4. When copies of the Declaration were sent out to the colonies, the date of July 4th was prominently at the top of the document. Hence, our celebrations on July 4, instead of the 2nd of July.
“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 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.”
So, how did the celebration move to the 4th? The letter to King George, our Declaration of Independence, did not get adopted until July 4. When copies of the Declaration were sent out to the colonies, the date of July 4th was prominently at the top of the document. Hence, our celebrations on July 4, instead of the 2nd of July.
