Posted on 07/06/2026 9:14:29 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
I wish I had discovered this a few days ago to post this past July 4 but I only found out about it this morning and it is amazing.
Many/Most of us are already familiar with the miraculous coincidence of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents, one of whom (Adams) was most instrumental in pushing for the Declaration of Independence and the other one (Jefferson) who wrote it both died on the same day, July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration of Independence. This was taken by many/most Americans as a positive sign for America by Divine Providence. Also it should be remembered that though Adams and Jefferson were bitter political enemies, they ended up regularly sending each other friendly letters for many years in an act of apparent reconciliation.
Okay, so many of us know about this but this morning I discovered another AMAZING fact. Exactly five years after the second and third presidents died on the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of America, the fourth president, James Monroe, also died on the July 4, 1831. Wow! Was this all just mere "coincidence?" Perhaps some mathematician can figure out the statistical odds of this happening.
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I am probably wrong, but I think some people can will themselves to die. Mark Twain supposedly was born when Halleys comet appeared in the sky in 1835 and he said he hoped to die when it came back in 1910. Well he did.
Just like birthdays, the odds are good you will have two die on the same day. In my high school home class of about 50 we had 3 on my birthday. All same year, and same hospital. And there was at least one more in my class as he was born in the same hospital. I will admit that 3 out of the first 7 to die on July 4 is high, but not improbable. Interesting idea. Now if I can get my stocks in proper order like that.
I recently read a biography of Mark Twain and cigars and whiskey had a lot to do with his death. Plus his youngest daughter died in a most tragic manner just months before Twain's death.
I did not. Thanks for that.
Maybe that statistic is on the Web. I'll check.
I think you’re right. I read one account that said some of Jefferson’s last words were, “Is it the 4th yet?”
I did not know this.
Great people, our Founders!
And now someone has to figure out the chances of the fifth president dying on July 4 exactly five years later. Get it? FIFTH president FIVE years later. And the odds get much much longer.
And our current President was born on Flag Day!.............
some of Jefferson’s last words were, “Is it the 4th yet?”
Definitely high but not improbable. We talked about it in statistics class in college.
I just saw an AI estimate of the odds when you factor in Monroe dying exactly 5 years later on July 4, 1831 and it is ONE in Five MILLION probability. Very very long odds.
I didn’t know about Madison, either. Interesting.
Um... The ONE in FIVE MILLION chance when you factor in Monroe most definitely makes it IMPROBABLE.
Unrelated but oddly coincidental, both Aldous Huxley and CS Lewis had the bad judgement to die on November 22, 1963. Their deaths were overshadowed by some other newsworthy event.
There’s only one problem, James Monroe was the fifth President. James Madison was the fourth.
Just do not trust AI. I do not remember it being that high in Stats class.
Here is one for you. The molecules of air in your room COULD go to one corner and let you die if that happened and you are on the other side. Could, but that is highly improbable. That is probably Billions to one, but possible. Best part of stats was the chapter on “How to Lie with Statistics.” Something politicians do best
That's what I wrote. James MONROE. Someone else mistakenly wrote Madison.
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