Thank you for that. :)
Verrrry Interrrresting!
Posted on 06/28/2009 7:51:11 AM PDT by MeekOneGOP
I don't know why (maybe it's on a lesson plan for schools around the country) but this little question with a quick answer (and one that is quickly found in any ready reference) has been asked of me so often that I finally decided to list the answer here.
The answer is John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President). These two men died on the same day. But that's not all; read on....
The question with an even more interesting answer is, "On which day did they die?"
Both Adams and Jefferson died on July 4, 1826. The fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we all know, Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration in committee with John Adams (and Benjamin Franklin).
After George Washington retired from the Presidency, John Adams became President and Thomas Jefferson became Vice-President. The two men had disagreed politically throughout the Washington Administration, and were only both elected because in those days, whomever came in second in the Presidential vote became Vice-President. During the Adams Administration, the two differed on almost every issue, and Jefferson defeated Adams and took the Presidency in 1800. To make a long story short, although they had worked together in the cause for independence, Adams and Jefferson became truly bitter enemies when political parties began to form around each of them.
Luckily, Adams and Jefferson reconciled in their retirement and they became the absolute best of friends as they lived out their final years. Both men were conscious of living to see the fiftieth Fourth of July, and both, despite knowing they were on their death beds, made genuine efforts to hang on to dear life until the day had come.
John Adams's final words were (supposedly), "Thomas Jefferson survives." But he was wrong. Jefferson had died just hours earlier at Monticello.
Five years to the day after Adams and Jefferson died -- on July 4, 1831 -- the fifth President, James Monroe, passed away. So three presidents have died on the same date: July 4th.
One more Presidential fact about the Fourth of July. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born in Vermont on July 4th, 1872!
And Stephen C. Fpster the composer of MY OL KENTUCKY HOME and SWANEE RIVER (both state songs)was born on that day.
They had been enemies for years but I read somewhere they reconciled before they died, hope so.
Probably few people (except for FReepers) could name the U.S. President not born in the United States, either.
Coolidge was also almost the last President who truly embodied the values of the Declaration. Liberal historians have made him nothing but a joke because he didn't yack about govt. all the time, like Hussein.
I carry a small US Constitution booklet in my Day Planner and that fact is listed in the “Facts about the Founders” section.
The first US president who was not born a British subject was Martin Van Buren. The last president who had been born a British subject was William Henry Harrison.
This concidence resonated strongly in the nation at the time. For those who have not seen the miniseries, “John Adams,” I recommend it. The actors who played Adams and Jefferson bring vividly to life the two men. I commend especially the actor who played Jefferson, capturing his shyness. A great writer and conversationist, but a hesitant orator. It is said that and his inauguration he spoke so softly that he could only beheld by those in the front rows.
Coolidge was the last, or one of the last President who could read Greek. Not a hick at all, he was a snappidresser, Loquacious in private. He was popular with the White House staff. His wife was a dream. He would wonder into the kitchen to get a snack. When he heard that the roof leaking up in the servants’ quarters, he went up to inspect the damage, and made sure that it got patched up. The black staff members found the New Englanders a relief after the bigoted Wilson, and were totally frozen by the imperious Hoovers. As for policy, his concept of the Presidency was pre-progressive, conservative in the McKinley sense. That’s why the historian hate him.
During the Adams Administration, the two differed on almost every issue...
Including the payment of tribute to the Barbary pirates.
...and Jefferson defeated Adams and took the Presidency in 1800.
And then Jefferson beefed up the Navy and sent the Marines to trounce the Islamic pirate states in the first Barbary war.
In 1786 he had heard firsthand from Tripoli's ambassador that
"It was written in their Koran, that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners, whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave; and that every muslim who was slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise. He said, also, that the man who was the first to board a vessel had one slave over and above his share, and that when they sprang to the deck of an enemy's ship, every sailor held a dagger in each hand and a third in his mouth; which usually struck such terror into the foe that they cried out for quarter at once."
Thankfully it stuck with him so that 15 yrs later he was prepared to act. I wonder what he'd say today about today's Islam (which still practices the above) and the West's passive reaction to it.
Even though I already knew this, Thank You so much for posting it!
It's all about the remembering, you know just like The Alamo, Pearl Harbor, The 4th of July...
It gets my emotions in an uproar, and this year I have to try and force myself into celebrating freedom on the heels of a disastrous 0bamonation.
While I celebrate the birth of the greatest nation on Earth, my heart weeps with anxiety for her future.
Come on America, let's show our spirit and resolve, and that we truly do still have our sense of right & wrong.
If I were truly religious (which I think I am, more-so than I know) I might pray something like this:
Almighty God, please guide us along the path of righteousness,
let us gather our strength from one another,
encourage each other,
unite with one another,
and be wise enough to travel the right course.
Let us also heed and take comfort in the signs you send us, because as our ultimate leader,
you show us the way.
Amen
Very interesting note re James Madison, thanks.
I think our Founding Fathers are spinning in their
graves seeing what the Socialists/Marxists/Fascists
are doing to wreck their great work! :(
Sorry for the late reply. I posted this article and
flew off to work for the day right after.
Thanks to you and to all for the very nice replies here. :)
Hey! That is very cool you sent him this.
I bet his students will find this as fascinating as I did.
Thanks!! :)
Aye! You’ve nailed it.
** Thanks for posting and God rest their souls.
Let us give thanks that men like these two lived. **
- - - - -
Thank YOU!
And Amen !!
hehe!
Excellent. :)
Thank you for that. :)
Amen to ALL of that, my friend!!!!
Thank you.
Very profound! FRegards, and happy Fourth of July! Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness [and property]!
God speaks to us in subtle ways, doesn’t He?
I prefer to think that it is just taking a little nap for now. But it'll wake up.
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