Three of America’s Founding Fathers, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe, died on the Fourth of July.
Of the three, James Monroe was the only one who fought in the American Revolution. He fought in many battles and was wounded twice, once at the Battle of Harlem Heights and once at the Battle of Trenton. He was the fifth president of the United States. He died at his daughter’s home in New York City on July 4, 1831.
John Adams, the second president of the United States was defeated for re-election by Thomas Jefferson, who became our third president. They were “friendly enemies” and great rivals to the very day of their death.
Indeed, they both died on exactly the same day, July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson was 83, and John Adams was not quite 91.
