On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared that the 13 American colonies were "no longer subject" to the rule of England's King George III. John Adams, one of our country's founding fathers who would later become the second U.S. president, wrote in a letter dated July 3, 1776

to his beloved wife, Abigail:

"The second day of July 1776 [the date of the actual vote by the Continental Congress] will be the most memorable [epoch] in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty."

Let freedom ring! May God continue to bless the United States of America.