Although America celebrates its independence from Britaineach year on July 4th, an argument can be made that July 2^nd is our actual Independence Day.  That is because July 2, 1776, was the day that the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence, legally separating the 13 colonies from Great Britain.  The Declaration of Independence, approved two days later by members of the Continental Congress, is actually an explanation of why congress made their decision two days earlier.  On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail:

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most 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 God Almighty.  It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

However, beginning in 1777, Independence Day was celebrated on July 4^th, the date the Declaration of Independence was approved, rather than July 2^nd, the date the Continental Congress voted to legally separate from Great Britain, making Adam’s prediction off by two days.  However, his prediction of how we celebrate Independence Day was correct.  Today, we continue to celebrate America’s independence with picnics, parades, parties, sporting events, fireworks, etc. making July 4^th and not July 2^nd as Adams wrote, “…the most memorable epoch in the history of America.”  Ironically, on July 4, 1776, not realizing that a new nation was born destined to become a world leader, King George III wrote in his diary,“Nothing of importance happened today.”