This is what John Adams wrote to Abigail about July 4th:
"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."
The HBO series is great. Check it out.
It is a great story about the making of the US. It is also a great story about a wonderful couple, John and Abigail Adams.