The second day of July, 1776, 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. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.
Almost. A verbal declaration is one thing, but a written one - well - that's something you can put a date on. And that is what the Second Continental Congress did the very next day, July 4.
It wasn't until a month later, on August 2, that the delegates got around to actually signing the Declaration. You know, August is the only month without any holidays. How about adding August 2 as "Signers' Day"?
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