Celebrating the 4th of July

Alan Rumrill, Senior Historian, HSCC

On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote from Philadelphia to his wife, Abigail, at home in Massachusetts, stating that he believed the successful vote for American independence would be celebrated by succeeding generations with “shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations.” Public activities organized to celebrate American independence did indeed begin as soon as the Declaration of Independence was adopted and read to the public on July 4, 1776.

In some of the new nation’s larger towns and cities, the birth of independence was celebrated by holding mock funerals for King George III as a way of symbolizing the end of England’s hold on America. Other festivities that summer included bonfires, parades, concerts, and the firing of cannons and muskets. Many communities also hosted public readings of the Declaration of Independence, including the first reading in New Hampshire at Exeter on July 16.

Philadelphia held the first organized annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, capping the celebration with a display of fireworks, or “illuminations” as they were described then. Boston held a similar event on the same day. After the victorious conclusion of the Revolutionary War, Americans continued to celebrate Independence Day every year. How have the celebrations changed over the past 250 years?

Although celebrations on the 4th of July were commonplace in American cities in the late 1700s, local sources suggest that there was not a great deal of celebrating in southwest New Hampshire at that time. Abner Sanger, who kept a detailed diary in Keene and Dublin from the 1770s to the 1790s, did not mention the Declaration of Independence or any commemorations held on that day in all the years he wrote in his diary. Mention of the 4th of July was not found in Keene newspapers until 1799 when the New Hampshire Sentinel reported that the town celebrated with music, bell ringing, a parade, the firing of muskets, a speech by Congregational minister Aaron Hall, and the drinking of 13 toasts.

Independence Day celebrations became much more commonplace in the 19th century. Bonfires, concerts, and the firing of guns remained popular during these events. Parades were often military affairs in the early years, with the local militia leading the way. Fireworks were also displayed to show exuberant thanks for independence.

The 50th anniversary of independence in 1826 was celebrated in towns across the Monadnock region. Local ministers were chosen to make solemn speeches about the importance of democracy and the sacrifices of the soldiers who made independence possible. In Alstead a parade was held, speeches made, a picnic enjoyed, and cannons fired. Westmoreland enjoyed music, orations, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The residents of Keene celebrated with a parade, speeches, a bountiful feast, 13 toasts, the ringing of bells, and 24 discharges of artillery.

These annual celebrations soon came to look like the raucous militia muster days that were common then. Local military units still led the parade, and parade floats became more commonplace. Fireworks and gunfire rang out deep into the night.

1876 brought the centennial celebration of independence and almost all local towns planned elaborate celebratory activities. Chesterfield celebrated the event with a large picnic, music by the Hinsdale town band, and rides around Spofford Lake on the steamboat “Enterprise.” The town of Troy featured a foot race between four contestants representing presidential and vice-presidential candidates Hayes, Wheeler, Tilden and Hendricks. Although the Democrats were victorious in the foot race, Republicans Hayes and Wheeler won the election by one electoral vote later in the year. Other towns arranged band concerts, parades, speeches, picnics, and glorious displays of fireworks.

Keene had recently become a city and the celebration there was understandably larger than in the surrounding towns. Public buildings, business blocks, and private residences were decorated with flags and bunting. A large parade, a 100-gun salute, ringing church bells, horse races at the trotting park, and a children’s dance highlighted the activities. The day concluded with hundreds of Chinese lanterns illuminating Central Square and a fireworks display that lasted almost an hour and a half.

Holiday events continued throughout the 20th century, although more restrictions were placed on fireworks displays to ensure the safety of the audiences. The usual activities remained in place and new ones were added, such as town baseball games, midnight dances, and automobile races replaced the horse races of the 19th century.

Swanzey kicked off the celebration of the 150th anniversary of independence in 1926 when 1,500 people arrived at the Wilson Recreation park in North Swanzey to enjoy dancing and fireworks on the evening of July 3rd. Keene celebrated on the 4th with baseball games, dances, midnight frolics, picnics, and numerous activities for children. The Keene police reported that the holiday passed with no serious accidents, only one arrest for drunkenness, and no fires. The Sentinel reported that the young men of the city did not even build their customary bonfire in Railroad Square.

The 200th anniversary in 1976 saw multi-day events that included many of the activities mentioned above. The large Keene Bicentennial Parade that year attracted 50,000 visitors. The small town of Stoddard organized a three-day event. Activities there included a ham & bean dinner, puppet show, chicken barbecue, house tours, colonial costume dance, and a picnic on the Congregational Church lawn. Commemorative souvenirs were popular at this time, and most towns had medallions and other souvenirs for sale.

Many local towns have planned activities for the 250th anniversary combining solemn and joyous activities. Jaffrey has highlighted its celebration with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence for many years, and other towns will do the same in 2026. Keene will once again host a large parade, as well as living history events, a petting zoo, and many other activities. Marlow will commemorate the anniversary with a road race, military muster, parade, band music, lecture, and Revolutionary Afternoon Tea.

John Adams was correct in his assessment that succeeding generations would celebrate this important anniversary. The celebratory activities have remained remarkably similar to those of 250 years ago, with music, parades, fireworks, and public readings of the Declaration of Independence. As you enjoy cookouts with family and friends and conclude the evening with colorful fireworks on the 4th of July 2026, remember the real reason for the holiday – the declaration of independence made by the 13 colonies in 1776 and the resulting freedoms that Americans have enjoyed for 250 years.