"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."
Ok, so John Adams was slightly off with the date. But don't let mere calendar formalities keep you from celebrating our independence. After all, our independence from Great Britain was declared on this day. *
Some music from the time:
* I'd accidentally written that the document was signed on the 2nd. The signing process actually was a bit later, and lasted for about a month. This is what I get for staying up so late!