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      July 4, 1776, The signing of the Declaration of Independance  

     As incredible as it may seem, of the first five U.S. presidents, three died on the Fourth of July. The nation’s fifth president,  James Monroe, died in his home on July 4^th, 1831. The nation’s second and third presidents, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on the same day—July 4^th 1826.

    Incredibly, both men lived up to a vow they had each made years earlier. Jefferson had vowed he would live to see the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

   Adams had vowed he would outlive Jefferson. His vow was born years earlier out of anger. He and Jefferson had become enemies following Jefferson’s defeat of Adams in the presidential election.

  The relationship between Adams and Jefferson had begun decades earlier when the nation was on the brink of rebellion against Great Britain. In the beginning, the two men were the best of friends. But, the friendship quickly began to deteriorate following the American Revolution.

  The two men began developing opposing political views. Their views began to take a toll on their friendship. Adams was an ardent Federalist that supported a stronger federal government while Jefferson favored stronger state governments and weaker a federal government.

  During the administration of George Washington, Adams served as Washington’s vice-president and Jefferson served as Secretary of State. At the end of Washington’s administration Adams and Jefferson found themselves vying to become the second president of the United States.

  The campaign reached a new low in mud-slinging as the two men began deriding each other and slandering on another for anything they could think of. At one point Adams even published reports that Thomas Jefferson had died.

   Adams  defeated Jefferson by a mere three votes. In the next four years their animosity for each other grew. When Adams ran for re-election in 1801, he lost to Jefferson. Adams was so bitter with Jefferson that he refused to attend his inauguration. He left Washington early on inauguration day and left with some bitter words for Jefferson. Adams vowed “I will outlive Thomas Jefferson.”

  In the next four years Adams derided Jefferson for even the most trivial of matters. At one time he criticized Jefferson for starting the strange custom of handshaking when meeting people. Adams always bowed to people when he met them.

   Jefferson retired to his estate, Monticello in 1809. In the years to come the two former presidents began corresponding and soon the men reconciled their differences and a friendship began to form. All past indiscretions were forgiven.

   On the morning of July 4^th 1826, as the nation celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of independence, there was no celebration at the home of John Adams. He was found slumped  over in his chair, barely breathing. The 90-year-old former president was dying. His granddaughter helped him to bed where he heaved his last breath.  Perhaps he felt guilty about the statement he had made years earlier. “Thomas Jefferson survives!” he said as he gasped his final breath. He died unaware he had made good on his earlier statement. Earlier that afternoon, Thomas Jefferson, had died in his home in Virginia.  Moments before he died he asked his granddaughter “What day is it?” she responded “July the Fourth.” Jefferson died moments later. He too had made good on his vow to live to see the 50^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

    This is an exerpt of a new book written by Michael Williams. The book is entitled "Stranger than Fiction: The Lincoln Curse." The book is a compilation of 50 stories will leave the reader convinced that perhaps Mark Twain was right when he said "truth is stranger than fiction."

    Michael Williams has written for more than 30 newspapers and magazines including the Civil War Times Illustrated, The Civil War Courier, the Associated Press and the Knoxville Journal.

    The book is 187 pages in a softbound edition with numerous photos. The book can be purchased from amazon.com for $19.95 plus shipping and handling or you can save shipping cost and save $2 on the purchase price by ordering a signed copy directly from the author. Send $17.95 to P.O. Box 6421 Sevierville, TN. 37864.   

For more information visit the web Site:   http://www.strangerthanfictionnews.com/