Over Morning Coffee

Americans celebrated their independence before they were independent. In July of 1776, colonists heard the Declaration of Independence read aloud for the first time in Philadelphia’s Independence Square. They were overwhelmed with joy to hear the news that the colonies were free from British tyranny, and they took to the streets in spontaneous celebration and boisterous revelry. The Revolutionary War would last for six more years, and the colonists were so sure of victory that they continued to celebrate the Fourth of July every year throughout the conflict.

On July 2, 1776, John Adams was eup...