Today’s traditions began with these words from President John Adams in a letter to his wife Abigail, dated July 3, 1776: (The day) “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 forevermore.” The camera of Stephen Henderson caught this “illumination” at the fireworks display at DeHart Park Monday night.
