Fireworks, Jefferson, and brioche

Unfortunately, history isn't always as accurate as we'd like. Fortunately, a recent discovery of the notes of a conversation between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in the summer of 1776 has shed new light on one murky piece of the past – the origins of the Fourth of July.

Jefferson: I'm sweating through my breeches, John.

Adams: It's boiling, Tom. Who chose Philadelphia in July? Franklin?

Jefferson: Probably. Loves his cheesesteak.

Adams: No kidding.

Jefferson: Speaking of chubs, seen the Madisons around town?

Adams: Funny you should ask. I'm walking down the street and I see James and the Missis. So, being a friendly guy I start singing, "Hello, Dolley..."

Jefferson: And?

Adams: Nothing. I even added a, "you're looking swell, Dolley," and still no reaction. Very unmusical family.

Jefferson: Any weekend plans?

Adams: Another family barbecue. Sam's doing ox ribs. A little fatty for my taste but one rib can feed 20. You?

Jefferson: No big plans. Catching up on my wig powdering. Franklin's coming over for some kite flying.

Adams: Boring with a capital "B."

Jefferson: Yep, just another dull July 4th.

Adams: You know, I think we need another holiday.

Jefferson: Another one? We already have Take A Servant To Lunch Wednesday and You're A Lump, King George Sunday. How many holidays can a nation have?

Adams: We need something in the summer. Something before that holiday John Hancock came up with – Have An Insurance Salesman For Coffee Thursday.

Jefferson: So, what were you thinking?

Adams: Well, you know how you love all those Renaissance guys? How about You Were a Heck of a Mime, Leonardo da Vinci Fourth of July.

Jefferson: Was he a heck of a mime?

Adams: Who knows? Is anyone going to argue?

Jefferson: Guess not. But we need a better reason for a holiday.

Adams: How about we draw pictures of hearts and give them to people we like? I want to call them valentines.

Jefferson: Forget it, I'm not a great drawer, can't tell my heart from a liver.

Adams: Maybe we could send some flowers to people we like instead. Roses would be nice.

Jefferson: So, I'm supposed to send you flowers? Little strange, John, if you ask me.

Adams: Well, you know this thing we've been writing?

Jefferson: My grocery list?

Adams: No, the Declaration of... what did you call it?

Jefferson: Brioche baking.

Adams: That's what you're calling it?

Jefferson: You like croissant baking instead?

Adams: No. This is about freedom.

Jefferson: Exactly. Freedom to bake French rolls.

Adams: Tom, I think we should think bigger.

Jefferson: Baguettes?

Adams: How about Independence?

Jefferson: Is that like a raisin pumpernickel?

Adams: No, it's about the rights of man.

Jefferson: Ohhh, I like that. So we'll make the Fourth of July the holiday for the right to bake whatever you'd like?

Adams: Right. With fireworks.

Jefferson: And brioche.

Adams: We'll see. Then what about the heart drawing?

Jefferson: Save it for Christmas.

Adams: It's a deal. And we do the ox ribs for Thanksgiving. I think we got the start of a country here.

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