The day of the resolution respecting independency, should be marked down as a holiday, “The most memorable epoch in the history of America." He was sure, he wrote Abigail, "that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. “ It ought to be commemorated “by a solemn act of devotion to God Almighty” under Whose providential care it had come about. “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.” It “must remind Americans, lest they grow lazy and complacent, of the cost of freedom.”
John Adams by Page Smith. Vol 1 pg. 271.
Many people contributed to the emergence and survival of our country as we know it, but John Adams was one of the most influential on the structure of our government. We owe him a lot for being a strong counterbalance to other founding fathers who wanted less freedoms. Happy 4th!
ReplyDeleteHe seems to have foreseen the future of the celebration! Happy 4th July.
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