Pater Familias

Theories, observations, and articles, by Philip Schaefer · All posts · Categories

A DAY FOR BONFIRES AND ILLUMINATIONS.

July 4, 2011 at 5:10 PM · History

A DAY FOR BONFIRES AND ILLUMINATIONS. Annalisa asked that I post again today on John Adams. John Adams wrote to Abigail on July 3, 1776, the day after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence: “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.” This year the Rowayton fireworks were on July 2, and we walked down to where we could look down the length of the Five Mile River and watch the fireworks over Long Island Sound.