Profession: 2nd US President
Political Party: Federalist
Political Titles: Vice President, Member of the Continental Congress, Minister to Great Britain, Minister to the Netherlands
Presidential Term:
March 4, 1797 -
March 4, 1801
Preceded By: George Washington
Succeeded By: Thomas Jefferson
Why Famous: Adams was a leading advocate of American independence from Great Britain and one of the country's Founding Fathers. During the Revolution he played a leading role in persuading Congress to declare independence. He served as the first Vice President of the United States (1789-1797) under George Washington, and then succeeded him by becoming the second President of the United States (1797–1801).
The most vocal proponent of the Declaration of Independence, Adams assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the seminal document. His writings, particularly his treatise Thoughts on Government (1776) helped influence the Constitution.
During his presidency, Adams built up the navy and army in the face of the Quasi-War with France, and encountered strong opposition from Alexander Hamilton and other Jeffersonian Republicans. He was succeeded as President by Thomas Jefferson in 1800, with whom he re-established a long friendship, and died on the same day as him - July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Born: October 30, 1735
Birthplace: Braintree, Massachusetts, USA
Star Sign: Scorpio
Articles and Photos
Yippee! It's Independence Day for the U.S.
The United States declared itself independent of Britain on this day. Ever since, celebrations marking the event have taken place every year across the country.
July 4, 1776United States Declaration of Independence
Engrossed copy of the United States Declaration of Independence
July 4, 1776First Lady Pours Scorn Upon a King
American independence from Britain was declared and on this day a future US President's wife expressed her joy.
July 21, 1776Thomas Jefferson Elected US President
Tally of electoral college votes in the election of 1800. No candidate won a majority, so an election in the House of Representatives took place, with Jefferson winning on the 36th ballot.
February 17, 1801
Married Life
- 1764-10-25 Future 2nd American President John Adams (28) weds Abigail Smith (19) in Weymouth, Massachusetts (marriage lasts 54 years)
Historical Events
- 1755-07-16 John Adams graduates Harvard
- 1776-06-11 Continental Congress creates committee to draft a Declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston as members
- 1779-09-27 John Adams negotiates Revolutionary War peace terms with Great Britain
- 1782-04-19 John Adams secures Dutch Republic's recognition of the United States as an independent government and house he purchased in The Hague, Netherlands became first American embassy.
- 1788-06-17 After a lengthy stay in Europe, future US President John Adams and his wife Abigail Adams return to Boston
- 1789-02-04 1st US electoral college chooses George Washington as President and John Adams as Vice-President
- 1789-04-21 John Adams sworn in as 1st US Vice President (9 days before Washington)
- 1796-11-03 John Adams elected as 2nd president of the United States of America
- 1797-03-04 John Adams inaugurated as 2nd President of The United States, Thomas Jefferson 2nd Vice President
- 1800-11-01 John Adams becomes the first US President to live in the White House
- 1825-12-06 US President John Adams suggests establishment of a national observatory
- 1826-07-04 Past presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both die on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, President John Quincy Adams calls "visible and palpable remarks of Divine Favor"
Quotes by John Adams
- "While all other Sciences have advanced, that of Government is at a stand; little better understood; little better practised now than three or four thousand years ago."
James Monroe
Jimmy Carter
Martin Van Buren
Richard Nixon
Rutherford B. Hayes
Ulysses S. Grant