Fourth of July will mark the 278th anniversary of the founding of the United States
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Since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, this day has been an important federal holiday in the US
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Since then, every year, parades, fireworks, carnivals, fairs, political speeches and numerous ceremonies mark this day
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In 1776, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife Abigail explaining the way to commemorate the nation's declaration of independence from England
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He wrote that it should be marked with "pomp & parade, with shews (shows), games, sports, bonfires, bells and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other"
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The next year, as per historian James R. Heintze, a July 4th fireworks show in Philadelphia started and concluded with 13 rockets
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"The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks and the city was beautifully illuminated," he wrote
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He added that everything was conducted with the "greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal"
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By next five years, there was a large variety of fireworks on display, including wheels, serpents, table rockets, cherry trees, fountains, and sunflowers