A day after the Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776—yes, July 2 —Adams wrote a letter from Philadelphia to his wife back home in Boston commemorating the day.
His letter to Abigail Adam, dated July 3, 1776, read in part:
But the Day is past. 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.
The Declaration of Independence was transposed on the next day, which we now celebreate (it would take weeks for all the delegates to sign it).