This article was written with the assistance of AI and inspired by the words of Connor Boyack.
Alright, folks, gather ’round as we gear up for the 4th of July festivities. It’s time for a little history lesson that will undoubtedly have you shaking your head and rolling your eyes.
Yes, we all cheerfully celebrate Independence Day on the 4th, but guess what? The real declaration of our independence actually happened on July 2nd. Shocking, right?
“It’s true!”
This is yet another classic example of Americans blissfully unaware of their own history. Why? Because our beloved history books love to skim over the juicy bits, leaving us with a bland, factually challenged version of events.
So, here’s what really went down:
On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress took a monumental vote for independence from Great Britain. John Adams was so over the moon about this that he penned a letter to his wife, Abigail, predicting that July 2nd would be celebrated for generations as the great anniversary festival. Spoiler alert: it didn’t quite turn out that way.
Here’s the kicker: the official adoption of the Declaration of Independence didn’t happen until July 4th. That’s the date that got slapped onto the document, and that’s why we’ve been partying on the wrong day ever since.
Here’s what John wrote to his wife:
“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.
“You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. — I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. — Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”
Wow. Just wow.
That’s a peek into John Adams’ passionate soul that most people will never see, because, surprise, surprise, our history education is about as deep as a kiddie pool.
Most textbooks are obsessed with cramming dates, names, and places into our heads but completely miss the heart of the matter. They skip over the real stories—the human stories—that bring our history to life. The struggles, the triumphs, the drama. All lost in the abyss of dry, lifeless facts.
So, as you light up your sparklers and watch the fireworks this July 4th, just remember: we should really be doing this two days earlier. But hey, who’s counting, right?