On July 3, 1776, just a day after the Continental Congress voted for independence on July 2, Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail, expressing his belief that the occasion would be commemorated for generations to come. He described an elaborate celebration that included "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 more".