On this day 250 years from his camp on Long Island (in present day Brooklyn), New York, Brigadier General Nathanael Greene wrote to General Washington to recommend

the removeal of the Wheat along New Uttrech, Graves End (& so) Shore, that if the Enemy should land there, they may not have it in their power to do us any injury, for every thing they destroy or carry off will be a matter of triumph, The Wheat is almost fit to thrash and can be speedily removd out of harms way

Gen. Greene was in command of the Continental Army’s brigade guarding Long Island from assault by the 10,000 British troops encamped on Staten Island.

Sources: “Brigadier General Nathanael Greene to George Washington, 25 July 1776,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-05-02-0336. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 5, 16 June 1776 – 12 August 1776, ed. Philander D. Chase. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1993, pp. 461–462.]; Schecter at 103

On this day 250 years ago in Williamsburg, Virginia,

the DECLARATION of INDEPENDENCE was solemnly proclaimed at the Capitol, the Courthouse, and the Palace, amidst the acclamations of the people, accompanied by firing of cannon and musketry, the several regiments of continental troops having been paraded on that solemnity

followed by “illuminations in the evening.”

Source: https://declaration.fas.harvard.edu/blog/july-proclamations quoting Virginia Gazette (July 26, 1776) & Virginia Gazette (July 27, 1776)

And on this day 250 years ago in Providence, Rhode Island,

the Governor, attended by such Members of the Upper and Lower Houses of Assembly as were in Town, and a Number of the Inhabitants went in Procession to the State-House, escorted by the Cadet and Light-Infantry Companies, were at Twelve o’Clock was read the Act of Assembly concurring with the Most Honorbale General Congress in their Declaration of INDEPENDENCE; the Declaration was also read, at the Conclusion of which 13 Vollies were fired by the Cadets and Light-Infantry; the Artillery Company next fired 13 Cannon, and a like Number of new Cannon . . . were discharged at the Great Bridge; the Ships Alfred and Columbus likewise fired 13 Guns each, in Honor of the Day.—At Two o’Clock his Honor the Governor, attended and escorted as above, proceeded to Hacker’s Hall, where an elegant Entertainment was provided on the Occasion; after Dinner [thirteen] Toasts were drank

. . .

The Artillery Company, and Number of other Gentlemen, dined the same Day at Lindsey’s Tavern, when [thirteen other] Toasts were drank

. . .

The whole was conducted with great Order and Decency, and the Declaration received with every Mark of Applause.–Towards Evening the King of Great-Britain’s Coat of Arms was taken from a late public Office, as was also the Sign from the Crown Coffee-House, and burnt.

The Americans who celebrated Independence Day in Williamsburg, Providence, New York, Philadelphia and other towns across the then thirteen United States in July and August of 1776 were not looking back with nostalgia celebrating the birth of our nation as we do on each July 4th now, with the comfort of knowing of our eventual victory over Great Britain and that the United States is recognized as not only independent by other nations, but as the most powerful nation on Earth. The formal declaration of Independence was brand new and not recognized by anyone outside of our borders, and not even by some within. The Revolutionary War was then ongoing with uncertain outcome. Americans were not looking backwards to the past but forward to the future with confidence and hopes for a future United States of America.

The 26 toasts made by the people of Providence 250 years ago for the “free and independent States of America” included several that we ought remember today in 2026. They toasted “The Friends of the United States in every Part of the Earth,” and “May the Constitution of each separate State have for its Object the Preservation of the civil and religious Rights of Mankind” and “May the independent States of America for ever be an Asylum for Liberty.”

The American people 250 years ago knew that they were fighting for the Rights of Mankind and not just rights for the people then in America and their progeny. They expected people from every part of the Earth to be inspired by the Declaration and for the United States to provide asylum for those seeking Liberty. And while they celebrated American Independence they had no illusions that the United States could have a successful future without thanking our Friends in every Part of the Earth for their support.

We can honor “The Memory of the brave Officers and Men who have fallen in Defence of American Liberty” if we remember they fought for “Liberty to those who have Spirit to assert it” and they hoped “May the Union of the States be established in Justice and mutual Confidence, and be as permanent as the Pillars of Nature.” We should honor their sacrifices and hopes for America by showing the Spirit to assert our Liberty and fight to reestablish Justice in the face of a government engaged in trampling on Liberty and Justice in the United States.

Source: https://declaration.fas.harvard.edu/blog/july-proclamations quoting Providence Gazette (July 27, 1776)