U.S. History time...

John Adams, the chief architect of The Revolution, asked Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. He did so because he knew he was too obnoxious and unpopular to do a good job himself. Jefferson was 33 yrs old.

John deeply loved his wife Abigail and though his duties took him away from her often, he longed that she be with him and called for her whenever he could. He trusted her as a key advisor and both of them expressed true happiness only when they were together. He was very sweet and tender with her and when she later died, he said her parting at death was easier for him than when he left her to travel abroad because he knew he would be seeing her again sooner this way.

Abigail, in a letter to her husband as the new direction of the US was being decided wrote this wonderful advice:

and by the way in the new Code of Laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If perticuliar care and attention is not paid to the Laidies we are determined to foment a Rebelion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became close personal friends. John and Abigail Adams grew a deep mutual affection for Thomas Jefferson.

John Adams nominated George Washington to be the commander of the Continental Army.

George Washington ran against John Adams for the first presidency and Adams lost. He thereby become the first Vice President (back then, second place became VP).

After George Washington refused to run for office for a third term, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became bitter political enemies. The first partisan election in the US ensued with Adams and the Federalists struggling against Thomas Jefferson and the Republicans.

Adams narrowly won and Thomas Jefferson as Vice President paid a smear-man to libel Adams while in office. The smear man was jailed once caught, and when he got out of jail years later, Jefferson hired him again as the second term election loomed.

Adams was the first president to occupy The White House.

About this time France was angry with the US because the US had somewhat allied with Britain in a war between Britain and France. France had begun to attack US ships and the country wanted Adams to declare war with France. Adams wanted no part of war and lost the election to Jefferson who did. Before Adams lost the election, France signed a treaty with the US, but news of the treaty didn't arrive until months later, after the election when it was too late.

After Adams left office he grew bitter and angry and wrote much of his discontent in the press. However, as he grew older, he initiated correspondence with Jefferson. They began to exchange warm letters for the rest of their lives and rekindled their friendship.

On July 4th, 1826 Thomas Jefferson who was gravely ill had willed himself to stay alive until this date. After muttering something to his slave, who confirmed that it was the 4th, he died. Hours later, John Adams at the age of 91 died also on July 4th.