How do you 4th?

When I think of the 4th of July, I think of many things. But always, fireworks make the top 5.

So when I came across this on Mental Floss I thought I'd share it...


The Founding Fathers finished the final draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 2, 1776.

On July 3, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail about the momentous occasion:

“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 commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. 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. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

(So dearest John had it off by a couple of days, but at least he knew how important those moments in history would be to us even today.)

July 4, 1776 was the day the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The official signing didn’t take place until later, but July 4th has ever since been the birthday of America. Celebrations of independence took place throughout the summer of 1776, as well as they could considering there was a war going on.

The legacy of the revolutionary celebrations is to celebrate with artillery and cannon fire in addition to bonfires and illuminations. Firecrackers and rockets were a natural extension. The first anniversary of the date was celebrated with the pomp and circumstance we would recognize today. Even in 1777, fireworks were used.

"The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Every thing was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal. Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more. Amen, and amen" ~Virginia Gazette, 18 July 1777.

So go out tomorrow and be sure to see some good fireworks. And when you do, think of being in 1777 and celebrating American independence for the first time. There might not have been the pool parties, the barbecues or the trip to the beach, but there were at least fireworks...