Celebrating Independence Day The John Adams Way With A Fruit Pie

No other family has had a longer legacy of celebrating the Fourth of July than the Adams family. From 1776 to 1892, the Adams family had been involved in a myriad of Independence Day activities. John Adams (1735-1826) was instrumental in negotiating independence from Britain at the Continental Congresses (1774-78) and signed the Declaration of Independence.

History lesson 101
In the words of John Adams written in  a letter to his wife Abigail on July 3, 1776: 

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. 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 Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

The Story Behind the Quote Above
The date of July 2 was important as this had been the date when the Continental Congress had voted to declare its independence from Britain. People remember this speech as it suggests celebrations should be held to commemorate such an important decision. 
People have followed John Adams’ suggestion by celebrating Independence with a commemorative holiday, as they have until this day, and shall continue as long as America remains a free nation. The written Declaration of Independence was completed on July 4, 1776, which is why Independence Day is celebrated on the Fourth of July.

So I thought this blog posting from Amanda Markel was a great reflective piece.  http://amandamarkel.com/2011/07/04/how-to-celebrate-independence-day-the-john-adams-way/  in her words...

How to Celebrate Independence Day, the John Adams Way
Even though this John Adams quote is from over 200 years ago, it describes perfectly our Fourth of July celebrations today!

• Pomp and Parade? Check! Between speeches and patriotic music, I think we’ve got pomp covered. And I do love a good Independence Day parade!
• Shows, Games and Sports? Check! The shows might be a little different from what John Adams had envisioned, but who doesn’t love an opportunity to watch Yankee Doodle Dandy? Or The Patriot? Or 1776? Or Independence Day? And the Fourth of July is a great time for families, friends, and neighbors to get together and play all sorts of games, or to watch a sporting event on TV.
• Guns? Check! Between cannon blasts, and fireworks, (which are really just colorful guns), this is probably the most anticipated event of any given Independence Day.
• Bells? Check! If not church bells ringing, then bells in concerts all across the country. Big or small, bells are ringing all around America for the Fourth of July.
• Bonfires and Illuminations? Check! There are those fireworks, again, and lights in general, as everyone stays up late to celebrate America’s birthday. Even backyard bonfires are not uncommon, as families huddle around them, and talk late into the night.
• From one end of the continent to the other? Check! I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t love at least some aspect of the Fourth of July, whether it’s the fireworks or the time with family, the food or the parades. And it doesn’t matter if you live in a big city or small town, (or even on a farm in the middle of nowhere), east coast or west, north or south–Americans all over this country are celebrating today–celebrating our strength and our freedoms, celebrating all of the things that make this country great
  

No Fuss Puff Pastry Fruit Pie 

Cook's notes: Nothing could be easier than this fruit pie made with puff pastry sheets. Add your favorite prepared pie filling—cherry, apple, blueberry—and you've got a delicious, homemade pastry that goes perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. 

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. (17.3 ounces) Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets, thawed
• 1 egg
• 1 TB. water
• 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling or apple or blueberry pie filling
• 1 TB. confectioners' sugar

Directions:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork or whisk.
• Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a baking sheet. Spread the pie filling on the pastry to within 1 inch of the edge. Brush the edges with the egg mixture. Unfold the remaining pastry sheet and place over the filling. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Brush with the egg mixture. Cut several slits in the top of the pastry.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. Cool the pastry on the baking sheet on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the confectioners' sugar or make a powdered sugar icing.