John Adams, discussing the vote that had just been taken by the Continental Congress in favor of independence, said that he believed—and he was correct—that the Declaration Of Independence would be

“celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this Continent to the other from this time forward forever more.”

By “guns” he meant saluting guns loaded with blank charges—firing loaded guns in the air is more of a Cinco De Mayo kind of thing.

The Fourth of July is also celebrated at VDARE.com with a roundup of Independence Day Columns—this is it! See also, today, July Fourth Fear: Can Free Speech (And America) Survive A Minority-Dominated Supreme Court?

Independence Day Columns from previous years: