Shouldn't We Really Celebrate the 4th on the 2nd?

Americans have been celebrating Independence Day on the Fourth of July for well over two centuries. But one of the country's founding fathers maintained to his death - ironically on July 4 - that the true independence date was the 2nd of July.

According to History.com, in June 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies then fighting in the revolutionary struggle weighed a resolution that would declare their independence from Great Britain. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later its delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. 

When the war broke out in 1775, few colonists wanted complete independence from England - and those that did were considered radical. But a year or so later, sentiment changed. A five-man committee was formed to draft a formal statement justifying its break with England. It was voted and passed on July 2, 1776.

After the committee voted in favor of declaring its independence John Adams, one of the committee members wrote his wife, Abrigail that July 2 "will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival" and that the celebration should include "Pomp and Parade...Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other."  

On the 4th of July the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence. Though the vote for actual independence took place on July 2, from then on the 4th became the day that was celebrated as the birth of American independence. 

Until his death on July 4, 1826 - the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams believed that July 2nd was the date the country should celebrate its independence. He reportedly would turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest.

By Patch Editor Judy Putnam