The Founder and second U.S. President was prescient in his July 3, 1776, letter to Abigail. Granted, his prediction for the date of the celebration was off by two days, but that is, as they say, good enough for government work:
The second day of July, 1776, will be 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, shews, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward forever.
Here’s a link to the letter. The final paragraph is worth a look.
