It’s hard to believe that there was ever a time that annual Fourth of July celebrations weren’t part of the American experience, but, amazingly, it wasn’t officially recognized until 1870, when the U.S. Congress made it a holiday.

And even more surprising, no one was allowed to take off work to celebrate until 1940, when it became a federal holiday. Crazy, right?

Apparently, the holiday didn’t really become “a thing” until after the War of 1812, an event that once again forced Americans to confront their old ruler, Great Britain.

Once that conflict was over, patriotism rose to all new heights, and a couple of generations later the Fourth evolved into something that very closely resembles how we all celebrate the holiday today— but maybe with less hot dog sparklers.

That’s right, we said hot dog sparklers.

But, inspired and festive meat presentations aside, it’s hard to mention the holiday without first acknowledging the men who helped establish the country we are living in today: our founding fathers.

Back when these powdered-wigged, trailblazing politicians were in the midst of building our great nation, one of them experienced a striking vision of how we all might celebrate our independence in the future. This man was John Adams, the founding father who served as America’s first vice president, as well as America’s second president.

As it turns out, Adams wasn’t just a politician with a vision. He also had his finger on the pulse of what future American’s traditions might evolve into. In a letter to his wife, Abigail, Adams prophesized about how he thought people would celebrate their independence from Great Britain in the generations to come:

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.

We don’t know about you, but we — and pretty much everyone we know — celebrate the Fourth by partaking in all of Adams’ aforementioned activities. Apparently, when it comes to memorializing a special day, not much has changed since Adams wrote the letter back in 1776.

Amazing, right?

Well, let’s not get too excited, because as it turns out, this forefather wasn’t right about EVERYTHING in regards to the holiday. In fact, he didn’t think that anyone would actually be celebrating on the fourth— in his letter to his wife, he mentions a completely different date.

Can you guess what it is??

To find out more about the history of the July 4th holiday and to learn the date that Adams predicted we would use to commemorate our country’s independence, be sure to watch the video below. Unless you’re a real history buff, we’re betting you can’t figure this one out!

Were you able to guess the date that John Adams thought Independence Day would be held on annually? Are you a fan of the Fourth of July? What’s your family’s Independence Day tradition?

Source: History