The front page of The Times from July 6, 1976.

The celebration of Independence Day in the area has always been a mid-summer chance for area families to take a break and perhaps reflect on the freedoms that we take for granted.

Add in a few pyrotechnics and perhaps a hot dog or two and you have a pretty good day in my book.

It has been 250 years since the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.

John Adams wrapped up what the day meant in a letter to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776.

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, 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. It ought to be Solemnized with Pomp and Parade with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

Although he had the date we would celebrate wrong, he pretty much nailed how we would treat the day.

Looking back at some of the past observances of the fourth in Marietta shows that things have not veered very far from Adams’ vision of what the day would become.

Ten years later Sgt. Joeseph Buell wrote in his journal while being stationed at Fort Harmar on July 4, 1786: “The great day of American Independence was commemorated by the discharge of thirteen guns, after which the troops were served with extra rations of liquor, and allowed to get drunk as much as they pleased.”

The establishment of Marietta was well underway two years later when Col. John May wrote on July 4, 1788: Warm, moist, and brisk wind for the southwest. At 11 rained hard. The clouds heavy and shake rain easy — a labour ceases today in memory of the Declaration of Independence.

A dinner that night was somewhat interrupted by rain, but once it got underway, the toast featured 14 parts, the last of which was toasting “The glorious Fourth of July.”

“Pleased with our entertainment, we did not separate till 12 o’clock then went home and slept soundly until daylight.” wrote Day.

Nearly a century later, in 1876, Marietta held a grand celebration. The day started with a 13-gun salute. At 10 a.m. the parade got underway on Greene Street with the different units lining up on Second, Third, and Ohio streets before marching up Front Street. The parade went up Front to Washington before turning and going down Fourth to Putnam before ending in Muskingum Park. There, the Declaration of Independence was read by W.H. Gurley.

The Marietta Register reported that 10,000 people turned out for the program.

That evening the crowd had a “grand display of fireworks” and a concert by the Regnier Cornet Band.

Marietta was ready for a party in 1946 after several years of subdued observance because of War World II.

“Tomorrow, for the first time in four years, Mariettans along with citizens throughout the country will celebrate the Fourth of July with gaiety and gusto. For the first time in those long, war-torn years there will be fireworks in addition to family picnics and outings in the family automobile to favorite haunts, which had been forfeited during the war because of poor tires and lack of gasoline.

“Thursday will again be “American Day,” symbolizing the freedom and independence set forth by the forefathers of the United States in the Declaration of Independence 170 years ago,” The Marietta Times reported in the July 3, 1946, edition.

In 1976, Marietta held a huge celebration that had much in common with those of July Fourths past.

There was a parade featuring “pint sized” Uncle Sams, music in the park from the Northwest Territory band among others. There were also sack races, a watermelon eating contest and a carnival at the Washington County Fairgrounds, The Times reported. Fireworks lit up the night sky as they had for decades.

John Adams’ prediction of how the country would celebrate the fourth has rung true for 250 years now. Have a great holiday and remember to party like it’s 1776.

Art Smith is online manager of The Marietta Times and The Parkersburg News. He can reached at asmith@mariettatimes.com