Independence Day: Home
John Adams' Prediction (Letter from John Adams to Abigail Adams, 3 July 1776)
I am apt to believe that [this day] 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.
July 4, 1776
Congress officially adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776. Getting the document signed took six months.
July 4, 1777
On the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, celebrations spontaneously broke out in Philadelphia. John Adams wrote to his daughter, Abigail, describing the scenes.
July 4, 1826
Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on the 50th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. Adams's last words were "Thomas Jefferson survives," But Jefferson had died at 12:50pm. Adams died around 5:00pm.
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The Declaration of Independence
Stone Engraving of the Declaration of Independence
In 1820, the Declaration of Independence was already showing signs of age. Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned printer William J. Stone to make a full-size copperplate engraving. This plate was used to print copies of the Declaration. The 1823 Stone engraving is the most frequently reproduced version of the Declaration.
from The National Archives, America's Founding Documents, The Declaration of Independence