On Independence Day: A Salute to John Adams and Family

Abigail and John Adams from the Vassar College Collection

Resident of Braintree, Massachusetts, Farmer, Lawyer, Patriot, Ambassador, Statesman, Second President of the United States, father of the Sixth President of the United States and devoted husband to wife Abigail doesn't begin to describe adequately a great Founding Father: John Adams (October 30, 1735-July 4, 1826. He helped Thomas Jefferson draft the Declaration of Independence and according to Wikipedia:

'On June 7, 1776, Adams seconded the resolution of independence introduced by Richard Henry Lee which stated, "These colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, " and championed the resolution until it was adopted by Congress on July 2, 1776.'

Years later, Jefferson declared Adams as the "pillar of the [Declaration's] support on the floor of Congress, its ablest advocate and defender against the multifarious assaults it encountered."

Thomas Jefferson, Third President of the United States (1743-1826)

See blog of April 13, 2010 on Jefferson: President, Patriot and Populist

It is so fitting that we remember Adams-- this zealous patriot today-- which happens to be the very day, July 4, 1826--one hundred eighty-four years ago that both he and fellow nation founder, Thomas Jefferson, passed on to the great blue yonder. This was the 50th year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

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