This year, 241 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans think of July Fourth as a very special summer holiday. If asked we might say it’s a day for family fun, fireworks, and festivities.
On July 3, 1776, one of the signers wrote a letter to his wife Abigail in which he described how he thought future generations might celebrate this special holiday. The writer was John Adams, an American patriot and one of the Founding Fathers who served twice as Vice President and then as the second President of the United States.
This excerpt related to celebrating Independence Day was included in the letter to Abigail Adams: “…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 forevermore.”
Adams’ forecast or belief appears in the twenty-first century to be right on target after almost 250 years. As today’s population looks at his listing, some of us will remark that he didn’t mention food! Many have added the backyard barbecue or a packed picnic basket to our list, and others include festive family reunions with favorite foods from several generations.
Living in the Tri-State area, residents have easy access to mountains, lakes and parks. Most can also enjoy sparklers in the backyard with the smallest children and the excitement of bonfires or larger fireworks displays at nearby locations. If not in the immediate area, television offers the dazzling fireworks displays on A Capitol Fourth (PBS) and the Boston Pops program from the Charles River (CBS).
A feature of the Boston observance of this holiday is that church bells ring throughout the city, a tradition that follows John Adams’ comment in the letter to his wife.
Boston proclaims that the city is “…where fight for American liberty began.” And the Tri-State area encompassing Cumberland Gap can proclaim this part of the USA is where American pioneers, first Dr. Thomas Walker and then Daniel Boone, found the “Gateway to the West.” Both are celebrated as important parts of the tradition of Independence Day.
For fun, games, reflection, inspiration, and yes favorite foods, nothing says freedom quite like the Fourth of July!
William H. Baker, native of Claiborne County and former resident of Middlesboro, may be contacted at wbaker@limestone.edu
