250 to 250: 54. John Adams' Letters to Abigail, Narrated by Sara Georgini

 

Heather Cox Richardson and 250 to 250: John Adams' Letters to Abigail, Narrated by Sara Georgini

Dr. Sara Georgini is an American historian, author, and Series Editor for the ‘Papers of John Adams,’ at the Adams Papers Editorial Project at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Georgini shares how John Adams, writing to his wife Abigail in 1776, envisioned generations of Americans celebrating independence with pomp and parade—right about everything but the date.

In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia.

• John Adams was a delegate from Massachusetts.
• On July 2, Congress voted that the colonies should be free and independent.
• John Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail Adams.
• He said the colonies were now free and independent states.
• On July 4, Congress approved the final words of the Declaration of Independence.
• John Adams believed Americans would celebrate this important event every year.
• He thought the celebration would be on July 2.
• Instead, Americans celebrate Independence Day on July 4.
• Every year on July 4, people celebrate the birth of the United States.

POP Interview and Civics Quiz:

• N-400 Part 5:02. Is your current spouse currently a member of the U.S. armed forces?
• USCIS 100:99.  When do we celebrate Independence Day?*
• USCIS 128:125. What is Independence Day?

Family Fun:

• Biography: John Adams | Abigail Adams
• History: Abigail Adams | Mrs. President
• MHS: Letter: John Adams to Abigail Adams, Philadelphia July 3. 1776
• National Archives: The Declaration of Independence
• NPS: Adams National Historical Park | Junior Ranger book
• NPS: Declaration of Independence Timeline
• PBS: The Declaration of Independence & Birth of the United States
• uscitizenpod: John Adams | Abigail Adams | John and Abigail Adams 1 | John and Abigail Adams 2 coloring pages
• VOA News: July 4? Try July 2, America's Real Independence Day