Spirit of 1776

The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, but there were no 'real' celebrations of July 4th that year - the Declaration was adopted that day, but not physically signed for some weeks afterward. (And over a few months' time, I should add.) The City of Philadelphia, where the Congress was meeting, celebrated independence July 8, 1776, with a simple reading of what people already knew was one of the most radical documents in history.

The anniversary of the Declaration's enactment was observed the following year in several places, but it wasn't until 1778 that July 4th really became a day of celebration. Philadelphia had a large ceremony and festival, which included fireworks - and the Hessian band Washington had taken at Princeton a year and a half before.

Fireworks, music, and speeches have dignified the day ever since.

A database of notable July 4 celebrations is kept here.

No comments: