"MOST MEMORABLE EPOCHA IN HISTORY OF AMERICA"

JOHN ADAMS WRITES LETTER  PREDICTING FUTURE CELEBRATIONS OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) John Adams*, a delegate of the Continental Congress meeting here in Philadelphia, wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail**, on July 3, 1776.

In the letter, the future first Vice-President and future second President of the United States predicted that the previous day, July 2, 1776 would be...

 "the most memorable epocha in the history of America."

For on that date the Congress approved Richard Henry Lee's resolution to declare the independence of the thirteen English colonies from Great Britain. 

Adams' description of how the event should be celebrated proved to be "spot on" although his prediction of the date of that celebration would be off by two days.

In his letter, John Adams wrote...

"The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epocha (time period) 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.  It ought to be solemized 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."

JFK+50 NOTE

According to history.com/, John Adams "reportedly" turned down invitations  to appear at July 4th celebrations "in protest," insisting that July 2nd should be the date. 

Ironically, Adams died on July 4, 1826 & the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, died on the same day.

Also, the Declaration of Independence was not signed by most delegates of the Continental Congress until August 2, 1776.

*John Adams (1735-1826) was born in Braintree, Massachusetts & served as Massachusetts delegate to the Continental Congress 1774-1777.  JA was the 1st US minister to Great Britain 1785-1788, 1st VPOTUS 1789-1797 & 2nd POTUS 1797-1801.

**Abigail Adams (1744-1818) was born in Weymouth, Massachusetts & was the wife of John Adams & his closest adviser.  Her husband wrote her over one thousand letters.

SOURCES

"Fourth of July--Independence Day," www.history.com/

"Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams (1776)," by John Adams, July 3, 1776.  Teaching American History, www.teachingamericanhistory.org/

Declaration of Independence

by John Trumbull (1819) 

Original painting in US Capitol Rotunda^

^depicts presentation of the draft of the Declaration of Independence to Congress.  Shows 42 of the 56 signers of the DOI.  John Adams is in the center of the painting (with hand on hip).