It's Independence Day, which John Adams said should be celebrated with "solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations." The amazing thing is that he said this on July 3, 1776, just after they'd voted for the Declaration. He had faith that Independence would be achieved, and that it would be celebrated "from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. "

He went on

"You will think me transported with enthusiasm ; but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, blood, and treasure, that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States; yet through all the gloom I can see rays of light and glory ; I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not."

He lived to see the United States gain its independence, and died fifty years to the day on which the Declaration was proclaimed, the same day Thomas Jefferson died. If you're stuck indoors, with no time for pomp, parade, and firecrackers, you can read my roundup from last year Independence Day--"Pomp, Shows, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, And Illuminations "—But Not Immigration, and scroll down to the bottom for more Independence Day punditry. And if you see the Wall Street Journal reprint any version of its In Praise of Huddled Masses editorial, let me know.