The Letter of America’s Early Independence Day

On September 9, 1776, the Continental Congress changed the 13 colonies name to the “United States” after declaring independence. This officially replaced their original name, the “United Colonies”. Although it might appear as semantics, this was an important gesture as it showed the young republics’ intention to break away from British Rule.

John Adam’s Letter on Independence Day

In the summer of 1776, revolutionary fervor was high in the 13 colonies against British rule. As tensions grew, many questioned why they should remain in the British Empire. This eventually led the Continental Congress to vote in favor of Richard Henry Lee’s motion for independence. This was done on July 2, when America officially declared independence from the British Empire.

This is why John Adams believed that this date should mark American independence. But while the motion did pass on the same day, the official adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This was also when the document was made public and became why the Fourth of July became the official Independence Day.

Several months after its official proclamation, the Continental Congress also passed a resolution that renamed the nation from the United Colonies to the United States of America. This movement severed the last ties to the British Empire, officially marking them as an independent nation.

John Adams himself played an important role in this process. He helped draft the original declaration and secured diplomatic support from the European powers. He strongly believed that this event would be celebrated for generations to come.

This feeling was justified as the independence movement had undergone years of trial and tribulation to achieve its goals. Letters during and after the Battle of Long Island and the ensuing retreat.

But after these and many more setbacks, America was at last able to claim victory.

“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.”

-John Adams, Former President of the United States.

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