The Fourth of July marks the official birthday of the United States of America. Why post a birthday message to America on a Protestantism site? Glad you asked. :-)
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress formally approved the Declaration of Independence, officially announcing to the nation and the world that the United States of America had been born.
The vote for independence had actually taken place on July 2, and John Adams mistakenly predicted that the Second of July would become our nation's birthday. Adams wrote his wife, Abigail, on July 3 saying:
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.
While Adams, in his famous letter to Abigail, was off by a couple days (the country choosing to remember the approval of the Declaration of Independence instead of the simple congressional vote on July 2), his exhortation has been largely heeded.
Independence Day is celebrated by "pomp and parade" and by other public festivities, including "illuminations" (i.e., fireworks).
However, as the Protestantism editor for Suite101, I wish to remind my American readers that Mr. Adams also hoped that our independence anniverary would be marked by "solemn acts of Devotion to God Almighty."
For many years, it was. In fact, for most of America's history, Independence Day was regarded as a religious holiday as much a patriotic one. But then came the secularists and the humanist forces of political correctness - which radically changed the United States in the mid to late 20th century.
This Fourth of July, I encourage you to hearken back to the wishes of Mr. Adams, one of our nation's greatest Founding Fathers. Remember God on this Fourth of July!
