Happy Independence Day!
John Adam’s Prediction-July 3, 1776
“I am apt to believe that [this day] 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.”
- To discover more, visit this government information resource guide at https://libguides.rice.edu/IndependenceDay curated by Mary Kelleher, Kelley Center for Government Information
- Or check out Guides by Special Topics to find government publications on other topics.
- Or contact us: govhelp@rice.edu, office suite: B38, Fondren Library Basement. Kelley Center staff are happy to assist you with accessing, exploring, and using Government information resources, whether it's for research, instruction, innovation, business, community service, civic engagement, or personal well being.