Celebrating Independence Throughout the Years

Celebrating Independence Throughout the Years. .

"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 Illumionations from one End of this Continent to the other from this time forward forever more.." , - President John Adams, 1797 - 1801 , From a letter dated July 3, 1776, written by John Adams, to his wife Abigail Adams, expressing the deep significance he attributed to the vote for Independence and the impending adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

, Philadelphia is known as the birthplace of American independence. Over time, the city has played an important role in marking major anniversaries of the nation's founding., Philadelphians celebrated the three key anniversaries: the Centennial in 1876, the Sesquicentennial in 1926, and the Bicentennial in 1976 much as John Adams envisioned, with parades and public events., 1876 , 100 Years , Growth and Progress of a Nation , Just a decade after the Civil War, America geared up to celebrate the centennial of its independence. President Ulysses S. Grant appointed a Centennial Commission made up of delegates from each of the 37 states then in the Union. The nationwide celebration included the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia and embraced "…an imposing recognition of the nation's progress during the first century of its existence.",

"It seems fitting that the one hundredth Anniversary of our Independence should be marked by an event that will display to the world the growth and progress of a nation devoted to freedom and to the pursuit of fame, fortune, and honors by the lowest citizen as well as the highest." , - President Ulysses S. Grant, 1869-1877 , From a Special Message from the President to both Houses of Congress, February 25, 1875

, 1926 , 150 Years , Four Corners of the Earth Unite , Independence celebrations in Philadelphia in 1926 centered on the Sesquicentennial International Exposition in South Philadelphia, a massive event meant to showcase both the nations' past and its progress. Opening in May, the exposition drew visitors from across the United States and around the world. Its high point came on July 5, when President Calvin Coolidge addressed a packed stadium of 35,000 people. In his speech, Coolidge reflected on the nation's founding and on 150 years of America's global influence.,

"At the end of 150 years the four corners of the earth unite in coming to Philadelphia as to a holy shrine in grateful acknowledgement of a service so great, which a few inspired men here rendered to humanity, that it is still the preeminent support of free government throughout the world." , - President Calvin Coolidge, 1923 - 1929 , From Speech given at the International Exposition in South Philadelphia, July 5, 1926

, 1976 , 200 Years , America's Spirit of '76: Reflection and Renewal , In Philadelphia, official Bicentennial events ran from January to October 1976. The celebration kicked off with the Near Year's Eve move of the Liberty Bell into a new pavilion on Independence Mall. An estimated 14-20 milliion visitors came to the city that year, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The Queen spoke at the dedication of the Bicentennial Bell, a gift from the British people. Today, the bell is the centerpiece of the Benjamin Rush Garden, where it was rededicated in 2025.,

"So, break out the flags, strike up the band, light up the sky and let the whole wide world know that the United States of America is about to have another happy birthday, still going strong at 200, and in the words of the great Al Jolson , 'You ain't seen nothin' yet!'" , - President Gerald Ford, 1974 - 1977 , From the Bicentennial Speech of Gerald Ford at the Honor America Program, July 4, 1976

, [Captions:] , An estimated 50,000 people filled the square behind Independence Hall on July 4, 1876, to celebrate the nation's 100th birthday. The day also marked the dedication of the Centennial Bell, which still rings each hour from atop Independence Hall., Richard Henry Lee, grandson of the signer of the Declaration by the same name, read the Declaration on the 4th of July during the celebration to the left. On June 7, 1776 it was his grandfather who introduced the resolution calling for independence from Great Britain., President Grant formally opened the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia on May 10, 1876., For the 1876 Centennial International Exhibition in Philadelphia, France sent the arm and torch of the Statue of Liberty as a preview of the completed monument., This postcard depicts the four-story-high Liberty Bell that served as the gateway to the Sesquicentennial International Exposition. Spanning Broad Street at Bigler Street in South Philadelphia and lined with 26,000 lightbulbs, it lit up the night sky., President and First Lady Grace Coolidge at a baseball game. President Calvin Coolidge is the only president born on the Fourth of July., President Coolidge delivered his Fourth of July speech on July 5, 1926. In it, he celebrated the 150th anniversary of the United States and reaffirmed the enduring power of the Declaration of Independence., Although the Sesquicentennial celebration took place primarily in South Philadelphia, miles from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, these American icons appeared on everything from posters to souvenirs and commemorative coins., Image of Independence Hall from official Sesquicentennial International Exposition letterhead., Hundreds braved freezing rain to watch the Liberty Bell move from Independence Hall to its new home in the Liberty Bell Pavilion at midnight on January 1, 1976., Before dedicating the Bicentennial Bell on behalf of the people of Great Britain, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall., Middle: President Gerald Ford delivered a speech in front of Independence Hall on Independence Day, 1976., Bottom: Parade passes the viewing stand in front of Independence Hall.