The night before I will probably read
On the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, a resolution adopted by the 2nd Continental Congress in 1775 that explains why that first generation of Americans were girding themselves for war in the years before Independence was declared.
My daughter and I will be marching in our neighborhood Independence Day Parade the morning of the 4th - I in my Continentals with either the Bess or the Charleville, her in one of her 18th Century dresses and bonnet. We’re marching with the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapters, with me representing my Sons of the American Revolution Chapter.
Then we’ll come home and I’m making fried chicken from a 1733 English recipe, along with a 1750s macaroni and cheese recipe, and probably some fried okra and either cornbread or sourdough rolls or something.
After lunch, I will reread the Declaration in its entirety, and then do a lot of thinking about what it meant then, and how it should continue to resonate today. I will then go place Betsy Ross flags on the local Rev War veterans graves that I am aware of - 35 in Mooresville, 3 about 5 minutes from my house in Denver, and 12 more in Huntersville.
I will toast that generation in thoughts and with spirits, celebrate Righteous Treason and Sacred Sedition, and pray that Almighty God is not yet done with the American experiment in self government.
Probably some fireworks as well. Included with that may be some nighttime flintlock musket firings (just powder, no ball).
Before I lay down, I will think on what Thomas Jefferson said about the Declaration in 1826, before he and John Adams would meet again at the gates of Heaven (both died within hours of each other on July 4th, 1826 - 50 years to the day) on what he thought it meant 50 years later, and what he hoped it would always mean for all posterity (I have taken the Liberty highlighted the critical part of the letter):
(Letter from Thomas Jefferson to Roger C. Weightman)
Monticello, June 24, 1826
Respected Sir-
The kind invitation I receive from you, on the part of the citizens of the city of Washington, to be present with them at their celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of American Independence, as one of the surviving signers of an instrument pregnant with our own, and the fate of the world, is most flattering to myself, and heightened by the honorable accompaniment proposed for the comfort of such a journey. It adds sensibly to the sufferings of sickness, to be deprived by it of a personal participation in the rejoicings of that day. But acquiescence is a duty, under circumstances not placed among those we are permitted to control. I should, indeed, with peculiar delight, have met and exchanged there congratulations personally with the small band, the remnant of that host of worthies, who joined with us on that day, in the bold and doubtful election we were to make for our country, between submission or the sword; and to have enjoyed with them the consolatory fact, that our fellow citizens, after half a century of experience and prosperity, continue to approve the choice we made.
May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God. These are grounds of hope for others. For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.
I will ask permission here to express the pleasure with which I should have met my ancient neighbors of the city of Washington and its vicinities, with whom I passed so many years of a pleasing social intercourse; an intercourse which so much relieved the anxieties of the public cares, and left impressions so deeply engraved in my affections, as never to be forgotten. With my regret that ill health forbids me the gratification of an acceptance, be pleased to receive for yourself, and those for whom you write, the assurance of my highest respect and friendly attachments.
Th. Jefferson
Independence Day is my favorite holiday, bar none. Were it only so for most Americans, we wouldn’t be in half the rough shape the Republic is in.
EDIT: Added a couple pictures.