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Public Readings of the Declaration Drew Emotional Crowds
Picture the scene: July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia’s town square. A crowd gathers as an official holds up a freshly printed copy of the Declaration of Independence. Festivities including concerts, bonfires, parades and the firing of cannons and muskets usually accompanied the first public readings of the Declaration of Independence, beginning immediately after its adoption. The document that changed history wasn’t just quietly filed away – it was shouted from rooftops and read aloud in every town square from Massachusetts to Georgia. Two days earlier, they had only been alerted by their local paper of a document declaring independence: “This day the CONTINENTAL CONGRESS declared the UNITED COLONIES FREE and INDEPENDENT STATES.” It wasn’t until July 8th that the people of Pennsylvania were finally able to celebrate the document publicly. On that day, the Liberty Bell was rung to announce the first public reading of the Declaration in the town square. These weren’t just casual announcements – they were theatrical, emotional events designed to unite communities under their new identity as Americans. Think of it like the ultimate town hall meeting, but with the fate of a nation hanging in the balance.
Church Bells Rang Out the News of Freedom
Bells were also rung to celebrate the first anniversary of Independence on July 4, 1777. The tradition of bell ringing to announce independence began almost immediately, with churches and town halls across the colonies participating in what was essentially America’s first coordinated celebration. In the 18th century, the Liberty Bell and the Christ Church bells rang together, most notably on July 8, 1776, when their toll announced the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The Liberty Bell itself, though already cracked, became the most famous symbol of this practice. The legend that on July 4, 1776, the bell was rung to signal the Continental Congress’ adoption of the Declaration of Independence is untrue; it was rung four days later on July 8 to celebrate the first public reading of the document. These bells served as the social media of their time, spreading news faster than any horse could ride. When you heard those bells ringing in unison across your town, you knew something monumental had happened.
Bonfires and Early Fireworks Lit Up the Night Sky
Long before organized fireworks shows became the norm, early Americans created their own spectacular light displays. Fireworks have been a part of Fourth of July festivities since the first organized celebrations, in 1777. Modern fireworks often feature red, white, and blue colors, but those of the earliest celebrations were orange. Communities would gather materials for weeks, building towering bonfires that could be seen for miles. In New England, towns competed to build towering pyramids, assembled from barrels and casks. They were lit at nightfall to usher in the celebration. The highest ever were in Salem, Massachusetts, with pyramids composed of as many as forty tiers of barrels. These made some of the tallest bonfires ever recorded. The custom flourished in the 19th and 20th centuries and is still practiced in some New England and northeastern towns. John Adams himself predicted this tradition would continue, and boy was he right! On that day, John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2 “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”
Military Parades Showed Off America’s New Identity
The sight of colonial militias marching in formation through town streets wasn’t just for show – it was a bold statement of defiance and unity. An article in the July 18, 1777, issue of The Virginia Gazette noted a celebration in Philadelphia in a manner a modern American would find familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades, troo These parades featured local militia units dressed in their finest uniforms, often carrying the newly adopted Stars and Stripes. On the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1777, a round of 13 gunshots were fired in Bristol, Rhode Island—and in Philadelphia (the “seat” of the Revolution) there were thirteen-gun salutes, speeches, a dinner for the Continental Congress and fireworks. For many colonists, seeing their neighbors marching as soldiers was both thrilling and sobering – it meant they were no longer British subjects, but Americans willing to fight for their independence. The thirteen-gun salutes became a tradition that continues today, representing the original thirteen colonies that dared to break away from the world’s most powerful empire.
Patriotic Toasts and Public Feasts Brought Communities Together
Imagine raising your glass alongside dozens of neighbors, each toast growing more spirited than the last. An article in the July 18, 1777, issue of The Virginia Gazette noted a celebration in Philadelphia in a manner a modern American would find familiar: an official dinner for the Continental Congress, toasts, 13-gun salutes, speeches, prayers, music, parades These weren’t casual dinner parties – they were elaborate affairs where political clubs and civic organizations would gather for marathon toasting sessions. Sometimes these events featured thirty or more toasts, honoring everything from “Liberty and Justice” to “General Washington” to “Death to all Tyrants.” The following year, George Washington provided a double ration of rum for his soldiers and an artillery salute. The feasts themselves were community-wide events, often held outdoors with long tables stretching down main streets. Think of it as the 18th-century version of a block party, but with higher stakes and more rum.
Burning Effigies and Displaying Flags Made Political Statements
Nothing said “we’re done with British rule” quite like watching a stuffed figure of King George III go up in flames. These weren’t acts of mindless destruction, but carefully orchestrated political theater designed to send a clear message to both supporters and skeptics of independence. Communities would spend days crafting elaborate effigies, sometimes depicting the king, British ministers, or other symbols of royal authority. The burning ceremonies were often accompanied by speeches explaining exactly why these symbols of oppression deserved to be destroyed. Meanwhile, the display of early American flags – particularly the Stars and Stripes – became a visual declaration of the new nation’s identity. These flag displays weren’t just decorative; they were acts of courage in a time when showing such symbols could be considered treason. For many colonists, seeing the American flag flying where the British Union Jack once hung was a powerful moment of transformation.
Religious Services Praised Divine Providence in America’s Birth
Churches across the colonies held special services that blended patriotic celebration with spiritual reflection, creating a unique American tradition. Ministers delivered sermons that portrayed independence not just as a political necessity, but as part of God’s plan for humanity. These services often included prayers of thanksgiving for divine protection during the struggle for freedom, as well as requests for continued guidance as the new nation found its footing. The religious dimension of early Independence Day celebrations helped legitimize the revolutionary cause in the eyes of many colonists who might have been uncertain about rebellion against established authority. Pastors drew parallels between the American struggle and biblical stories of liberation, particularly the Israelites’ escape from Egypt. These services weren’t just about politics – they were about creating a national mythology that would help Americans understand their place in history and their responsibilities as citizens of a nation founded on principles of liberty and justice.
Yankee Doodle and Other Songs United Voices in Celebration
Yankee Doodle quickly became the unofficial anthem of the Continental Army. What makes this story so delicious is that “Yankee Doodle” started as a British insult song. British army musicians allegedly played “Yankee Doodle” as they marched into the Massachusetts town mocking their inexperienced opponents. However, as the colonial militiamen beat them back into retreat, the Americans began tauntingly singing the tune, reclaiming the insult. The word “doodle” was 18th-century slang for a fool, and “macaroni” referred to a fancy dandy – so the British were essentially calling Americans backward country bumpkins. But Americans turned the tables, making the song their own rallying cry. The song was also famously played at Yorktown — the decisive engagement and Patriot victory that spelled the end of the Revolutionary War. Community singalongs featuring patriotic songs became a cornerstone of early celebrations, creating shared experiences that helped forge a national identity through music.
Political Speeches Reminded Citizens of Freedom’s Price
The tradition of Fourth of July oratory began almost immediately, with local leaders, judges, and statesmen delivering speeches that reinforced revolutionary ideals and reminded citizens of their civic duties. These weren’t just feel-good celebrations – they were serious civic education events designed to keep the principles of the Revolution alive in people’s minds. Speakers would recount the struggles that led to independence, honor those who had died for the cause, and warn against the dangers of tyranny and complacency. The speeches often lasted for hours, covering everything from the philosophical foundations of democratic government to practical advice about citizenship responsibilities. After the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to commemorate Independence Day every year, in celebrations that allowed the new nation’s emerging political leaders to address citizens and create a feeling of unity. These orations served as a form of political theater, helping to create and maintain a shared national narrative about what America stood for and where it was headed.
Community Gatherings Created Lasting Bonds Across Social Lines
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of early Independence Day celebrations was how they brought together people from all walks of life in shared celebration. Festivities included public readings of the document, parades, bonfires, and fireworks. These early celebrations set the tone for future observances, embedding a sense of patriotism and national pride in the American consciousness. In an era when social class often determined who could participate in public events, Independence Day celebrations were notably democratic – farmers stood alongside merchants, craftsmen celebrated with lawyers, and even servants often joined in the festivities. These gatherings weren’t just parties; they were exercises in democracy, showing colonists what it meant to be part of a society where, theoretically at least, all men were created equal. The shared experience of celebrating independence helped break down some of the rigid social barriers that had characterized colonial society under British rule. For one day a year, Americans could come together as equals, united by their common identity as citizens of a free nation rather than subjects of a distant king.
What would you have guessed – that America’s birthday parties started with burning kings in effigy and turned British insult songs into patriotic anthems?
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
