Why the Founding Fathers should have celebrated American independence on July 2nd instead
In short: Modern Fourth of July traditions like hot dogs and potato salad were nowhere to be found in the eighteenth century. Instead, the early celebrations of American independence were marked by dishes like poached salmon in egg sauce. Discover why John Adams believed the second of July was the true date.
While contemporary Americans associate the Fourth of July with backyard barbecues, the culinary reality of the era was quite different. Historical records from The Martha Washington Cook Book reveal that a celebratory meal of the period might feature poached salmon served with a rich egg sauce. This dish, prepared by boiling a middle slice of salmon in a mosquito-net bag and topping it with a sauce of drawn butter, milk, and finely chopped hard-boiled eggs, reflects the sophisticated, albeit different, tastes of the Founding Fathers.
The date itself remains a point of historical contention. John Adams, a key figure in the American Revolution, famously held the view that the second of July should have been the day marked for national celebration. This was the date the Continental Congress voted for independence, a moment Adams believed would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. He felt the event should be commemorated with pomp, parade, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of the continent to the other.
Despite Adams's conviction, the Fourth of July ultimately became the established date for the holiday, as it was the day the final wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved. The disconnect between the actual vote and the formal adoption of the document created a lasting historical debate regarding the true anniversary of American freedom. By examining these early traditions, we gain insight into the personal perspectives of the founders and the evolution of a national identity that was still very much in flux during the late eighteenth century.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: A Dish for the First 4th of July... and why it should be on the 2nd.
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