“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, July 3, 1776
While John Adams may have missed the day by one, the future president was remarkably accurate in his description of how he thought our nation’s freedom ought to be celebrated. Now 242 years later, we still celebrate Independence Day with many of the same suggestions that the Founding Father wrote to his wife about.
Columbia is no exception. Momentum is building for a great Freedom Fest celebration. To be held downtown on Saturday, July 7, it promises all of the pomp that Adams foresaw. There will be plenty of activities for children and adults, along with a fireworks show to cap off the night. If last year’s turnout is any indication, there should be a great crowd. That helps build goodwill in the community and support the historic downtown.
It’s also noteworthy that in addition to the games and bonfires, Adams included “solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty” in his plans. The freedom to worship is a bedrock principal of American life that is frequently under attack today. A recently released Pew Research Center showed that 28 percent of nations have high or very high levels of government restrictions on religion. Let us not forget the freedoms we have are not guaranteed and must be remembered and defended.
— Charlie Smith
