Adams’s hometown of Boston saw its own fireworks display that July 4th, as Colonel Thomas Crafts of the Sons of Libertytook the opportunity to set off fireworks and shells over Boston Common. On the Fourth of July, take a minute to think about Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. More unlikely still, Adams and Jefferson died just hours apart on the exact same day: July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of American independence. The fact that America’s second, third, and fifth Presidents all died on the same day has sparked a certain degree of speculation. There’s no doubt the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in July 1776. But which date has the legitimate claim on Independence Day: July 2 or July 4? If John Adams were alive today, he would tell you July 2. Other Founders would say July 4, the day that is currently recognized as a federal holiday by our national government. The delegates debated it, took out passages critical of the English people and of slavery, and adopted it—on July 4, the day that, every year, we celebrate our independence. In a July 3, 1776 letter to his wife, future President John Adams wrote that Independence Day anniversaries would be marked by 'Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776, but most signatures weren't affixed until August 2. Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, the Presidential Speeches | John Quincy Adams Presidency July 4, 1821: Speech to the U.S. House of Representatives on Foreign Policy Transcript John Adams believed America’s true Independence Day was July 2, not July 4, and protested the holiday’s date for the rest of his life. Planning on enjoying fireworks this Fourth of July? Thank America’s first veep: John Adams. The Boston-born Founding Father, who would later serve as the country’s second president, was the John Adams Got It Wrong (Almost) Founding Father John Adams was so certain that July 2 would become America’s most celebrated holiday, he wrote to his wife Abigail: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.” He predicted that future generations would mark the day with fireworks, parades, and patriotic celebrations. So Why Do We Celebrate Adams's prediction was off by two days. Still, from the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the Declaration of Independence. July 4th ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion. Yesterday, the greatest question was decided which ever was debated in America; and a greater perhaps never was, nor will be, decided among men. Americans purchase over 200 million pounds of fireworks annually for July 4th. The tradition of fireworks dates back to the first anniversary celebration, inspired by John Adams’ vision of Adams believed that July 2, 1776, would be the date to mark and celebrate forever our Declaration of Independence. Although the official date comes later, Americans have celebrated their country’s birth date, and have followed Adams’ advice ever since. 4. John Adams predicted modern-day Fourth of July festivities In a letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams wrote about his vision for Independence Day. But on the day before, July 3, 1776 founding father John Adams wrote a letter to his wife saying the country's independence should be celebrated "with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports When John Adams penned a letter to future first lady Abigail Adams on July 3, 1776, he guessed how future generations of Americans would celebrate Independence Day with remarkable accuracy-but he Adams’ own devotion to the Fourth of July for us offers an opportunity to reflect on the great ideal of freedom. Delightfully, by a conspiracy of Divine Providence, this is the mystery of The “Bonfires and Illuminations” is the original hint that we should have fireworks on July 4th every year. “Festivities” must then refer to barbeques and “Thanksgiving” reminds me on a daily basis that I should be grateful to be allowed to live safely in a great country, and that I should strive daily to keep it that way.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |
![]() | ![]() |