The Lincoln News Messenger ran a story today (link here), entitled "Lincoln Throws a Party", dealing with Lincoln's 4th of July celebration.  The story ended with a quote from John Adams.

Allow me to share the complete John Adams quote (and story) according to David McCullough in his book “John Adams”. 

After long deliberations in the Old Pennsylvania State House (now known as Independence Hall), on July 2, 1776, the delegates from twelve colonies voted for independence while one colony abstained (New York).  Congress then reviewed and approved the language of the drafted declaration, and about 11 o’clock on the morning of July 4, 1776, the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was voted on and passed by the same vote that occurred on July 2nd.

On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote his wife Abigail two letters. The News Messenger used a partial quote from the second letter.  Following is the entire John Adams Quote:

“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.”

“You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not.  I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasures that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.  Yet through all the gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory.  I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even though we [may regret] it, which I trust in God we shall not.”
 

Indeed the war was a longer, far arduous, and more painful struggle than we, the present generation, understand or sufficiently appreciate.  By the time the war ended (in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris) it had taken the lives of an estimated 25,000 Americans, or roughly one percent of the population.  In percentage of lives lost, it was the most costly war in American history, except for the Civil War. 

We have much to be thankful for and celebrate!