Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations

Marc Leepson in Opinion Journal:

In early July 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, about a momentous day during the proceedings of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Adams predicted that the day "will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. 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."

Adams was speaking, of course, of the Second of July.

Er, Fourth. Make that the Fourth of July.