In a July 3, 1776 letter to his wife Abigail, John Adams envisioned Independence Day being celebrated annually. "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." Before we truly began the War for American Independence, our Founders knew what laid in store for them. And they told us how they wanted us to remember it: annually, with great festivals, shows, solemnity, tradition, parades, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and fireworks. Even though we did not possess the entire Continent, they envisioned we would one day. https://www.masshist.org/digitaladams/archive/doc?id=L17760703jasecond