 And it was Adams who said this about Independence Day. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other. From this time forward, forevermore. Here's Johnny Cash and Ragged Old Flag. I walked through a county courthouse square on a park bench and an old man was sitting there. I said, your old courthouse is kind of run down. He said, no, it'll do for our little town.