President Barack Obama is heading to Boston today, a city often considered to be the birthplace of the American Revolution and our fair nation. Delivering a speech on his Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) from Faneuil Hall, President Obama is no stranger to the narrow, crooked streets of the Hub. And it’s fitting his visit is taking place on October 30, for it’s also the day another president of ours, equally versed in the landscape of Boston, albeit during a different epoch in the annals of American history, was born. Happy 278th birthday to Braintree-native (now Quincy) and second president of these States United, John Adams.
A founding father and staunch supporter of the American cause, the USA wouldn’t be able to flex its international muscles if it wasn’t for Adams’s contributions. So in the spirit of President Obama’s coming to town on the birthday of constitutional linchpin and political extraordinaire John Adams, here are five fun facts about John Adams.
1. Facts are stubborn things
An infamous event that helped spark the American Revolution, the Boston Massacre occurred when British troops stationed in Boston were baited into firing their muskets into an angry mob. The mob, though, was guilty of tossing verbal threats, as well as objects like rocks and chunks of ice, at the soldiers who claimed to have fired in self defense. Three died instantly and two more from mortal wounds later on.
With nobody willing to defend the British, who had been quartering themselves in the homes of citizens and enforcing unpopular taxation legislations by the hand of King George III of Great Britain, John Adams swooped in and won the case using his famous “Facts are stubborn things” line on the grounds that anyone living in a free country is entitled to defend themselves.
2. A judge of character
Besides wielding the power of his pen to help draft the Constitution of Massachusetts and other measures alike, Adams used his judge of character to nominate another to write our Declaration of Independence and other notable positions during our government’s infancy. It was John Adams who proposed that Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration, that George Washington assume the position of commander-in-chief of the first continental army, and John Marshall as the fourth chief justice of the Supreme Court of which he is still the longest-serving in our history.
3. Maritime maker
During his presidency, John Adams was perpetually plagued with calls for war with both Britain and France, who were pretty much always at war with each other in those days. Despite steering a course of neutrality, Adams realized that in order for America to defend herself and prosper through commerce and trade, a military would be mandate. But rather than build up the army, Adams built up the navy. He understood that military might was best vested in naval force rather than on land. So it was John Adams who is the father of the American Navy, which was born in either the Boston suburbs of Marblehead or Beverly, depending on who you listen to.
4. Thomas Jefferson survives
But not really. Though Calvin Coolidge may boast the only distinction of being the only Oval Office occupant born on July 4th, both Thomas Jefferson and Adams died that very day in 1826, the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was a fitting end for both men as they were once close friends during the early days of the Revolution, drifted apart and made slanderous accusations of each other during their respective presidencies, then rekindled their friendship in the twilight of their lives. Adams’s last words were reportedly “Thomas Jefferson survives,” though the Virginian had actually passed away hours before.
5. Adams political family
Much like the Kennedy family of contemporary times, the Adams political family was one deeply rooted in all the facets of the American civil system. Not only were he and son John Quincy the first father and son tandem to rock Washington D.C. until the Bush’s entered office (George H.W. Bush is a native of nearby Milton, Mass., by the way) but JQA was also a member of the House of Representatives after his presidency, and Adams’s grandsons and great grandsons held positions like member of Massachusetts state legislature, ambassador to the United Kingdom, secretary of the navy, as well as governor, senator and popular beer moniker.
Be sure to tune in to BostInno’s live coverage of President Obama’s healthcare address in downtown Boston’s Faneuil Hall at 4 p.m. ET this afternoon.
