Today is the Fourth of July. Also known as Independence Day, our nation has now been marking the occasion for 249 years. Of course, some of the observatory celebrations have evolved and changed over time, which is to be expected. Many of our most beloved annual traditions, though, have surprisingly antiquated roots you wouldn’t expect.
Because several Mid-Atlantic states were part of the 13 Original Colonies, it comes as no surprise that some locales throughout the immediate region were even among the first to pioneer certain longstanding conventions draped in Americana culture. Therefore, in this very special Fourth of July Flashback Friday Feature, I’m sharing the origins of the oldest ongoing Independence Day traditions in the nation.
Defining Independence Day
First, it is essential to define the true meaning of American Independence as it is celebrated in the United States. Most folks know the basic story of how the colonists, angered by unfair taxes imposed on them by Great Britain, eventually opted to break free and become their own governing nation. The decision was marked by years of fighting and an ongoing revolution known as the “American Revolution” or “Revolutionary War.”
It was on July 2, 1776, that all 13 of the existing Colonies agreed to pursue independence. Two days later, on July 4, 56 representatives of the Colonies proudly signed the Declaration of Independence.
What’s in a Date?
Ask anyone today what the date of American Independence is, and you will receive the unhesitating, resounding response of “July 4.” The holiday is, after all, most largely referred to as its alternative “Fourth of July” or “4th of July” derivative. But if you had asked John Adams back in 1776 and every year following his tenure, he would have argued that July 2 was the rightful, official date to mark the occasion.
While the Declaration was notably signed on July 4, 1776, it was on July 2 that the Second Continental Congress made the decree for freedom. It was also when Congress signed the Lee Resolution (named for Richard Henry Lee of Virginia), which contained three parts: separation from the British Crown, a call to form foreign alliances, and a plan for confederation. To make matters even stickier where formal dates are concerned, many historians today now conclude that most of the delegates to the Second Continental Congress didn’t officially sign the Declaration of Independence until August 2, 1776! All the same, July 4 remains a notable date in history for other reasons as well. It was also the death date of Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, and, ironically enough, John Adams himself!
The First Independence Day Celebrations
Some might claim that the very first Independence Day celebration, albeit a lackluster interpretation for such, officially occurred with the ringing of the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. It was a sounding of the alarm in the fight for freedom. All the same, celebrations marking American Independence from the Crown became a tradition every consecutive year following that.
Throughout the end of the 18th century and into the 19th century, various traditions started to take shape. They primarily took the form of community gatherings around bonfires, the ringing of bells, the firing of cannons and muskets, and public readings of the Declaration of Independence. Parading and fellowship, a long-held tradition universally throughout the world as far back as humanity confirms, were also incorporated into such celebrations. Then there were, of course, classic toasts to liberty. Early on, there were 13 toasts to represent each Colony and 13 cannon firings.
History shows us that people have always loved gathering together for boisterous socializing and fellowship. Therefore, community dinners—our modern take on parties—took shape with their own Americanization as a new nation hailing a unique, original identity.
After the War of 1812, such celebrations were fueled by even more nationalism and patriotism. With the formal adoption of the Betsy Ross American Flag early on and the Star-Spangled Banner (which has Maryland roots) coming to be known as our National Anthem later on, the sentiments only intensified as did newly emerging traditions both nationally and regionally.
When Did Fireworks Become a Thing?
Fireworks are believed to have been developed sometime during the second century B.C. in ancient China. So, we cannot lay an all-American claim to their invention. We can, however, confirm the utilization of such explosive displays and others (firecrackers, sparklers, etc.) as always having been incorporated into the national fabric.
Fireworks have long been used to mark festive occasions in many parts of the world. Therefore, with America being the cultural melting pot that it is, it should come as no surprise that such traditions made their way over to the New World. Because the British used fireworks, the Colonists who were now free and no longer subjects to the Crown, still upheld traditions they had been reared with.
The first Independence Day fireworks display likely occurred during the first anniversary in Philadelphia. Such boisterous celebrations were even approved by John Adams, having made such statements in a letter to his wife, Abigail.
The popularity of fireworks throughout the United States continued to become increasingly regarded into the 1840s. According to an estimate made by the American Pyrotechnic Association, Fourth of July celebrations of today utilize more than 14,000 fireworks annually!
The All-American Barbecue
The act of cooking a meal outdoors over an open flame has ancient roots predating any nation or formally established society. But there is something uniquely distinguishable about the origin story behind the “All-American Barbecue” that has emerged to become so synonymous with Fourth of July celebrations.
The identifiable American barbecue has its foundation linked to early New World explorers from the late 1400s. When Christopher Columbus and his men made their way throughout the Caribbean islands, they observed the cooking tactics of indigenous people living on the islands, who incorporated the use of wooden frames via a novel, slow-cooking method they referred to as “barbacoa.” The men eventually brought this technique to the New World, where it emerged as the most basic, foundational approach to our modern-day interpretation of “barbecue.”
While it has existed here for centuries, American barbecuing methods did eventually become more distinguishable based on the various regional divides of the United States. It even varies here in the Mid-Atlantic somewhat. Visit a state like Virginia, for instance, and you’ll find more soulful, southern tastes than those toted up north in Delaware.
Yet there are some widely popular universal American classics you’ll find to be popular picks wherever you go. Two iconic examples are grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. It’s interesting to note that both have distinct German ties that can loosely be associated with states like Pennsylvania, where so many German immigrants have settled.
While not particularly universal throughout the New World, here in the Mid-Atlantic’s Chesapeake region, seafood boils are a common cuisine format at many Independence Day celebrations. By extension, the northern Atlantic coast is also pretty big on seafood. It may even be argued that seafood is the more American representative national cuisine.
On the flip side, it can also be argued that apple pie isn’t even American in origin, at least in its more basic format. Just the same, many residents throughout the Mid-Atlantic states confirm that the American “traditional” form of apple pie is the quintessential national favorite.
Official Holiday Status
While Independence Day celebrations have been ongoing from the very beginning, it’s most interesting to note that it wasn’t universally made into a federal holiday until 1941! Throughout the various ongoing wars and major national milestones, each Independence Day grew in expressions of American patriotism. The tensions and sentiments surrounding World War II were enough to officially establish the status for being a federal holiday and celebration.
Here, I’ve provided an abbreviated, shorter format surrounding some of our most beloved Independence Day celebrations. The overall story is by far much lengthier and more deeply steeped. As you celebrate Independence Day accordingly throughout the Mid-Atlantic, I encourage you to take time to reflect on the fact that you are literally within the cradle of the American foundation in so many ways.