On this day 250 years ago, John Adams while in Philadelphia to sign the Declaration of Independence wrote to his wife Abigail saying “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 Devoting to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Gus, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
He pointed out in this now famous letter to his wife…”Time has been given for the whole People, maturely to consider the great Question of Independence and to ripen their Judgments, dissipate their Fears, and allure their Hopes, by discussing it in News Papers an Pamphletts, by debating it, in Assemblies, Conventions, Committees of Safety and Inspection, in Town and County Meetings, as well as in private Conversations, so that the whole People in every Colony of the 13, have now adopted it, as their own Act. This will cement the union and avoid those Heats and perhaps Convulsions which might have been occasioned, by such a Declaration Six Months ago.”
On this important day thought it would be interesting to see just how the 13 original colonies are commemorating America’s 250th birthday.
Delaware plans to celebrate its role as the first state to ratify the Constitution, with historic-site programs and community events. Pennsylvania is a centerpiece of the national celebration, featuring events around Independence Hall, the Declaration of Independence, concerts, exhibits and fireworks. New Jersey plans commemorations around revolutionary war battlefield, heritage tourism and educational programs. Georgia has planned colonial history programs, exhibits and statewide community celebrations. Connecticut plans to focus on the revolutionary period with local historical commemorations and educational initiatives.
Massachusetts has major events planned in Boston, Lexington and Concord, including reenactments of the opening battles of the Revolution. Maryland will have historic preservation projects, educational programming and celebrations tied to Maryland’s Revolutionary-era contributions. South Carolina plans Battlefield commemorations and recognition of the state’s crucial Revolutionary War campaigns.
New Hampshire will have community celebrations and exhibits highlighting colonial and Revolutionary history. Virginia plan extensive programming at Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, plus a traveling VA250 mobile museum. New York events will focus on New York City’s and the state’s role in the Revolution and early republic. North Carolina “First in Freedom” celebrations, Halifax Resolves commemorations, statewide festivals, exhibits, and Independence Day events. More than 80 counties have local America 250 committees. Rhode Island maritime history programs, local heritage events, and celebrations of Rhode Island’s independent spirit during the Revolution.
Today there are 311 million Americans who should not lose sight of what our founders went through to establish our democracy…which has endured to this day.