“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.”
~ from “Had a Declaration,” letter from
John Adams to Abigail Adams
~ July 3, 1776
~ John Adams
~ 1735 ~ 1826
~American statesman, attorney, diplomat, writer, and Founding Father who served as the second President of the United States of America 1797 ~ 1801
Liberty’s rays of ravishing light and glory light up the summer night sky during the 2021 Fourth of July Fireworks set off from J. Birney Crum Stadium, Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Happy 245th Birthday America!
How wonderful it would be to have fireworks – and the fire of patriotism – in our hearts every day!
