The United States Declaration of Independence is an act of the Second Continental Congress adopted July 4, 1776. It is considered the founding document of the United States where July 4th is celebrated as “Independence Day” and the nation’s birthday. The first signature on the document was that of John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress. Two future presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were among the 56 signers. “A real, live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the Fourth of July” is how entertainer George M. Cohan described the character he played in the legendary song “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Only one United States president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on the Fourth of July. Silent Cal was born on Independence Day 1872. Presidents John Adams, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush missed being Fourth of July babies by just a few days. Our nation’s second president, John Adams, and our third president, Thomas Jefferson, died a few hours apart on July 4, 1826. The deaths of Adams and Jefferson came on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both men strived to see the 50th Fourth of July, knowing they were on their death beds. Adams’ final words were, “Thomas Jefferson survives.” He was wrong; Jefferson had died just hours earlier at Monticello. Five years to the day after Adams and Jefferson passed away, our fifth president, James Monroe, passed away on July 4, 1831. The following gives a capsule v ...
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The United States Declaration of Independence is an act of the Second Continental Congress adopted July 4, 1776. It is considered the founding document of the United States where July 4th is celebrated as “Independence Day” and the nation’s birthday. The first signature on the document was that of John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress. Two future presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were among the 56 signers. “A real, live nephew of my Uncle Sam, born on the Fourth of July” is how entertainer George M. Cohan described the character he played in the legendary song “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” Only one United States president, Calvin Coolidge, was born on the Fourth of July. Silent Cal was born on Independence Day 1872. Presidents John Adams, Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush missed being Fourth of July babies by just a few days. Our nation’s second president, John Adams, and our third president, Thomas Jefferson, died a few hours apart on July 4, 1826. The deaths of Adams and Jefferson came on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Both men strived to see the 50th Fourth of July, knowing they were on their death beds. Adams’ final words were, “Thomas Jefferson survives.” He was wrong; Jefferson had died just hours earlier at Monticello. Five years to the day after Adams and Jefferson passed away, our fifth president, James Monroe, passed away on July 4, 1831. The following gives a capsule v ...