Good morning. May God bless your celebration on this 4th of July!
Have you ever given much thought to the tradition of fireworks in celebrating the 4th?
They say that the use of fireworks goes back to July 4th, 1777 and the original public celebrations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Actually, 12 of the colonies read an initial draft of independence, and voted in favor of proclaiming independence, on July 2nd (New York signed 9 days later). July 3rd was spent revising the document, chiefly accomplished by Thomas Jefferson. One of the founding fathers, John Adams, excitedly wrote this to his wife Abigail: “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 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.”
It seems that John Adams had the spirit of the day correct but missed the date by a couple of days.
On July 4th, after there were 86 (mostly small) changes to Jefferson’s draft, Congress officially voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence. Only a few of them actually signed it at that time with almost all of those congressmen signing the document on August 2nd. The first public readings were made on July 8th, giving time for messengers to reach as far as horses could carry them to share the news at a given time and on a given day.
The first celebration of Independence Day was held on July 4, 1777. Yes, there were fireworks!
On that first day of celebration for the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the document was read in town squares in all 13 colonies. Those who read those words of independence were instructed by the Continental Congress to share at their conclusion the following quote:
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 Amen!
At the conclusion of those words being spoken, guns and cannon were fired, bells were rung, shouts were lifted, and once nightfall fell there were fireworks on display. The new country, being secured in blood and blessed by God, was worth celebrating.
Celebrate safely, and please remember the foundations upon which our country has been built.