A portion of John Adams July 3, 1776 letter to his wife, in which he discusses his vision for America's Independence Day.

(CNSNews.com) - Americans declared their independence from Britain on July 2, 1776, a date that John Adams called "the most memorable epocha in the history of America.”

Congress approved the Declaration two days later, on July 4, which we now celebrate as Independence Day.

Writing to his wife on July 3, 1776 from Philadelphia, John Adams said he believed the occasion would be "celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival."

He described how he believed Americans should mark the day: