231 years ago the United States of America declared it's independence from England in the Declaration of Independence authored by Thomas Jefferson. John Adams who led the political battle for Independence described many years ago how we should celebrate this day when he said:
"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. 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 Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not. (The Book of Abigail and John: Selected Letters of the Adams Family, 1762-1784, Harvard University Press, 1975, 142).
Well John Adams, you were off by two days, but the Wickre family will celebrate the day by attending an old fashioned parade in Ashland Oregon, followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Band Shell in Lithia Park (a few feet from where my wife and I were married) and then will attend a friends BBQ followed by a trip to Eagle Point, Oregon, after dark, for "illiminations" (fireworks).One member of the Wickre family will celebrate it an a city where there is a monument to Thomas Jefferson and where Jefferson and John Adams served as President of the country they founded.. May we celebrate it for another 231 years! God Bless America....What a great day!
