When celebrating the treasured holiday of the Fourth of July, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the Post’s usually playful illustrators did not fool around. Over the years, their work centered not only on fireworks and parades but also on patriotism, heroes, and memorable events.

How better to rekindle our spirit for the nation’s 250th birthday than by revisiting covers of the past and recalling immortal words from those a little closer to the action — lines that helped preserve patriotism for our nation!

In December of 1776, Thomas Paine wrote in The American Crisis:

These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

To honor the solemnity of this holiday, we look to the words of John Adams, who envisioned how future generations should celebrate Independence Day:

It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with 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 for evermore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

United We Stand

“We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately,” Benjamin Franklin famously quipped at the signing the Declaration of Independence.

 

 

George Washington

Timeless advice from our first president

In his 1796 Farewell Address to the American people, George Washington shared what he called “counsels of an old and affectionate friend,” advising the young nation on the importance of preserving national unity, fidelity to the Constitution, and fiscal discipline. He also warned about the dangers of political parties, excessive debt, and permanent foreign alliances, while promoting the vital role of morality and education.

Remain United: “The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.… The unity of government … is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of that very liberty which you so highly prize.”

Respect the Constitution: “The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. But the Constitution which at any time exists, until changed by an explicit and authentic act of the whole people, is sacredly obligatory upon all.”

Preserve Checks and Balances: “The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create … a real despotism.”

Beware of Political Parties: “[They] are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.… The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge … is itself a frightful despotism.”

Support Education: “Promote then, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge.… It is essential that public opinion should be enlightened.”

Uphold Morality: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.”

Maintain fiscal responsibility: “Cherish public credit … use it as sparingly as possible … avoiding likewise the accumulation of debt … not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.”

Avoid Foreign Entanglement: “Steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”

 

This article is featured in the July/August 2026 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. Subscribe to the magazine for more art, inspiring stories, fiction, humor, and features from our archives.