Have a Safe and Enjoyable Fourth of July
Did you know John Adams believed July 2 would forever be the day we celebrated the birth of American independence? For it was on July 2 that the Continental Congress first voted for independence by adopting a resolution, written by Virginia delegate Richard Henry Lee, calling for the 13 colonies to break from England. Lee’s resolution was the impetus for the drafting of a formal statement of independence — our Declaration of Independence.
In a letter to his wife, Abigail, dated July 3, Adams wrote:
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 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.
Of course, as we all know, Mr. Adams ended up being off by two days. Ultimately, our new nation chose to commemorate its freedom from tyranny and oppression on July 4 — the day Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence.
Fast forward 241 years, and we still celebrate much the same way as John Adams had hoped we would. And so tomorrow, July 4, Americans in every corner of the nation, as well as those living abroad, will celebrate the United States of America’s 241st birthday. We will don our red, white and blue, gather with family and friends at backyard barbecues and take in the sights and sounds of grand fireworks displays.
I hope you and your loved ones have a very safe, enjoyable and patriotic Fourth of July. If you know or see a veteran or a member of our Armed Forces, please thank them for their service. God bless your family, and God bless the United States of America.
As always, please feel free to call, email, or write with your ideas or concerns. My Capitol office number is (573) 751-1415, my email is dan.hegeman@senate.mo.gov and my mailing address is Room 332, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101.