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Those were the words of John Adams on the last day of his life. It was great and it was good because it was July 4, 1826. The United States was celebrating its 50th anniversary and Adams, as one of the two remaining signers of the Declaration of Independence still living, could look back and recall the official vote for independence on July 2, 1776.
“The second of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha in the history of American. 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 forever more.“
Written to his wife Abigail, Adams missed the date, as today we celebrate Independence on the day the order was given the publish and distribute the Declaration…July 4th. But our 2nd President got the spirit right, and our celebrations today reflect much of his desires, penned more than 230 years ago.
July 4, 1826 was also the last day of Thomas Jefferson’s life. Our 3rd President (and other remaining “signer”) had a remarkable life, much of it spent in very close connection to Adams. Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, served as Vice President to Adams and twice as President, and was the driving force behind the Louisiana Purchase, the greatest single expansion of the country.
In his last letter (to the Mayor of Washington declining an invitation to the country’s 50th anniversary celebration), Jefferson wrote, “May it be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, the others later, but finally to all) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government…All eyes are opened or opening to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few, booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately by the grace of God. These are the grounds of hope for others: for ourselves, let the annual return to this day forever refresh our recollection of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.“
Thomas Jefferson would pass away just after 1pm on the 4th…John Adams would follow 5 hours later. But their desire for freedom had founded a nation. And their words should continue to inspire it 230 years later…and beyond.
On June 30, 1826, a small delegation came to Adams’ home and asked for a quote to read aloud as a toast at the upcoming celebration. Adams thought for moment and said, “Independence forever.” May that be our wish as well.
Happy Birthday, America!!!
Recommended Reading: American Sphinx
