Happy 4th of July [1] to all!! In reading through newspapers for this week, I decided not to select today’s date, but yesterday’s instead. The Boston Patriot, dated June 30, 1810, [2] contains a large announcement of the “Republican Celebration!” for the Celebration of the
[3] 4th of July, 1810 — it being the 34th Anniversary of American Independence. This issue shows the the progression of the Bunker-Hill festivities which would proceed from the State House to Bunker-Hill. There are also other articles within the issue in reference to the Fourth of July.
On a side note, while scanning through the issue I noticed within the “Died” notifications an amazing announcement. One brief reports that “Ann Sylvester, a free black woman, died on Tuesday the 14th at Falmouth, Jamaica, at the very advanced age of 133 years“. A very advanced age indeed!! It also provided information on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all 82 of them!… with additional amazing information about her as well. Quite a lady! ~The Traveler
1 Comment To "The Traveler… Celebrating the 4th…"
#1 Comment By Jim Wheeler On 07/01/2010 @ 6:58 pm
For the past 5 yrs., I can’t help but return to the July 5, 1826 copy of the Middlesex Gazette (see below) that I won on eBay from THREN that includes the letter written by John Adams the day after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The letter reads:
Philadelphia, July 5, 1776.
Sir:
Yesterday the greatest question was decided which was ever debated in America; and greater, perhaps never was or will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, “THAT THESE UNITED STATES ARE, AND OF RIGHT OUGHT TO BE, FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES.”
The day has passed – The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch 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 Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bonfires, and illuminations FROM ONE END OF THE COUNTRY TO THE OTHER, from this time forward forever! You will think me transported with enthusiasm; but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure that it will cost to maintain this declaration and support and defend these states, yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory – I can see that the end is worth all of the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not.
I am, &c
JOHN ADAMS
Each time I read this letter, it is difficult for me to imagine the, courage, emotion, understanding, and foresight that it took to pen these words. To me, the meaning of our American freedom and liberty is summarized in these two short paragraphs.
Ironically, the letter was published in this Middletown, CT paper 50 yrs. after it was written in celebration of America’s semicentennial. Ironically, (and unknown to the editor at the time) the paper was printed the day after the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, on Independence Day, 50 yrs. after their signing of the document that gave birth to our country. No more strange or appropriate coincidence will likely occur again.
I hope that you enjoy this letter as much as I do each year!
