The holiday known as “Independence Day” or the “Fourth of July” has become a significant mid-summer occasion for family gatherings and outdoor recreational activities, frequently including fireworks, barbeques, picnics, and the like. The American flag flies and “The Star-Spangled Banner” can be heard at many get-togethers. The people of Arkansas enjoy a long history of observing Independence Day, although the types of events have changed through the years.

Interestingly, founding father John Adams believed July 2^nd would be the day American citizens would celebrate, because it was on July 2, 1776, that delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia voted to officially separate the American colonies from England by approving a motion for independence. Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that the second day of July “will be the most memorable” in our nation’s history: “It will be celebrated, by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary festival . . . 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.” Two days later—July 4—the delegates adopted the Declaration of Independence. While Adams anticipated the wrong date that people would later celebrate, he prophetically described the types of activities that would take place.

Philadelphia held the first observance of Independence Day on July 4, 1777, even while the Revolutionary War was still underway. There was reading of the Declaration of Independence, together with bonfires and the firing of cannons and muskets. After the war was over, the new “United States” continued to celebrate the day as leaders sought to establish a uniquely American identity among the citizenry by focusing on the new nation’s special day. Our country has continued the tradition since that time, with the date becoming a paid federal holiday in 1941.

Like other small towns across the country, Malvern has celebrated the momentous day through the years. As just one example, in 1896, one observer summarized the events in the city this way: “Col. N.P. Richmond presided over the meeting. A most fervent and earnest prayer was offered by Rev. George M. Hill, after which the Declaration of Independence was read in a most eloquent manner by Rev. George H. Cornelson. Then followed two very able and patriotic speeches by Col. William H. Martin and Judge C.V. Teague of Hot Springs. Both of these young gentlemen are fine speakers and did fine justice to themselves on this occasion. They are both candidates for prosecuting attorney. A nice barbecue dinner was prepared and was greatly enjoyed by the large crowd present. Just after dinner was over, about one o’clock, a heavy rain fell and despoiled the pleasures of the afternoon. During the progress of the rainstorm, the spire of the Methodist church was struck by lightning and badly damaged. No other part of the church was injured.”