On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress declared independence. George Washington declared that day that “The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves….The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army.” A useful reminder for us, in a week when we rightly celebrate a Declaration, a document embodying a great idea, that speech needs to be backed up by arms, and that all still depends on the “courage and conduct” of our armed forces.

Meanwhile, in a letter to his wife, Abigail, written the next day, John Adams forecast that generations of Americans would celebrate July 2nd: