John Adam's Prediction of Independence

In 1776, John Adams predicted in a letter to his wife, Abigail, that the approval of the Declaration of Independence "will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. 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 shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

He was not far wrong. Independence Day, indeed, remains a time for pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and "illuminations" of fireworks, from one end of the continent to the other.

Why was the Declaration so important? It stated that America was no longer part of Britain, that the United States were now their own country.

But, more than that, it had stirring words (albeit written by a slaveowner) that still move those who love freedom: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

In other words, there are simple rights that no government, and no person, can take away -- natural rights that came from our "Creator," as the Founders put it. Current generations would be more apt to say that everyone deserves to enjoy these rights, simply by being human.

These words have been a challenge to our nation from the beginning. They helped bring down slavery, push forward civil rights and put an African-American in the White House -- with no one doubting anymore that a woman will, someday, occupy the office.

These ideas transformed the world, as sparsely populated colonies huddled along the Atlantic became a superpower.

And these words still challenge us to create a culture in which, as much as possible in this imperfect world, all Americans have an opportunity to succeed, to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and to do the things they most want to do with their lives. They urge us to improve our schools, so that even our poorest children have access to excellent public education, and to bring down remaining barriers built by prejudice and deprivation.

No country will ever be perfect, but we have a pretty good legacy. As we dive into the deep end, catch a ball game, broil our bratwurst and drink our beers, we can be grateful for what the Founders did on July 4, 1776 -- and for all those still fighting to preserve our freedoms and opportunities.