250 years ago today on July 2, 1776 the Second Continental Congress voted to declare American independence from the dastardly British and their despotic King.
John Adams wrote the following foreshadowing of 4th of July celebrations:
“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.”
Going out for the night, and Rod Serling narration from the heavens started introducing me as "a vile man, one that holds no principles" who will "soon learn the most important lesson of all". Troubling.