Why John Adams Called September 17 One Of ‘The Happiest Days’ Of His Life

250 years ago today, future president John Adams declared this was “one of the happiest Days of” his life. As he recorded in his journal:

“This was one of the happiest Days of my Life. In Congress We had generous, noble Sentiments, and manly Eloquence. This Day convinced me that America will support the Massachusetts or perish with her.”