On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress passed the resolution for American independence from Great Britain. On July 4, they adopted Thomas Jefferson's masterful exposition of the philosophical basis for American independence and the reasons for taking that bold step.

Writing to his beloved wife, Abigail, John Adams said this about the monumental decision.

I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend those States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not.

And indeed, from that time forward the blood of many ordinary men and women has been spilled to preserve what was declared that day, and a significant chunk of our economic capacity has been devoted to that defense of our liberty. And even in the darkest days of our nation -- through the moments when the fledgling nation faced crushing defeat in the War for Independence, through the burning of Washington during the War of 1812, in the midst of a ruinous Civil War and in the face of attacks upon America by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor and by jihadi terrorists on September 2001, those rays of ravishing light and glory have still shined forth as an inspiration to all freedom loving people around the world, as posterity has triumphed due to the deeds of those two days.

UPDATE: It seems to me that this post over at Gateway Pundit illustrates John Adams' words remain as true today as they were 232 years ago.

Be sure to read the letter from the Polish troops serving as a part of the coalition forces in Afghanistan to their American counterparts. Those rays of ravishing light and glory still shine their light on all humanity this day.