Discover the Unexpected: Top 17 Fun and Fascinating Facts About John Adams

1. Love Letters of John and Abigail Adams

Before texting and tweeting stole the show, John and Abigail Adams were pioneers of the original T-Revolution – no, not Tinder, but their torrent of thrilling epistles during the Revolutionary era: Their hearty love letters, which sometimes numbered one a day, not only showcase an adorable couple but also serve as a treasure trove of historical insights into the tumultuous birth of the United States.
Source => ducksters.com

2. Presidential Independence Day Deaths

You'd think the Founding Fathers had a sick sense of humor, setting the stage for America's longest-running and most-awaited sequels, "The Presidential Crossover: Independence Day Edition": John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both signers of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Presidents, kicked the "liberty" bucket on the very same day - July 4, 1826, marking the 50th anniversary of the Declaration itself. To add to the epic plot, President James Monroe chimed in, passing away on Independence Day too, but missed the mark for the Declaration signer's reunion.
Source => cjonline.com

Did you know Thomas Jefferson, one of America's Founding Fathers, was buried under a staggering $107,000 of personal debt? Discover how this iconic figure ended up in financial turmoil. 💸🍷📜

=> Fun Facts about Thomas-Jefferson

3. The Adams' European Furnishings

While the British were coming, John and Abigail Adams were out shopping: This power couple had a keen eye for European furnishings, even buying lavish decor and dinnerware during their international stints, facing financial obstacles from a not-so-generous Congress. Their sophisticated taste can still be witnessed today at the White House, where the collection boasts some of the exquisite pieces from the Royal Porcelain Manufactory at Sevres, circa 1782.
Source => whitehousehistory.org

4. Adams-Jefferson Friendship Revival

In a plot twist worthy of a soap opera: John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, once bitter political rivals, buried the hatchet and revived their friendship through heartfelt letters until their deaths on the same day – July 4, 1826. This spooky synchronicity, marking the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, inspired Adams' eerie final words: "Jefferson still lives." This dynamic duo, having reached peak frenemies status, ultimately showcased the power of forgiveness in their historical bromance (sealed with a quill).
Source => blogs.loc.gov

5. John Quincy Adams' Travels

While little Johnny Quincy Adams spent his formative years gallivanting as an international man of mystery, rubbing shoulders with Russian czars and Benjamin Franklin's grandkids: This well-traveled childhood, from ages 10 to 17, encompassed studying at Passy Academy, learning dance, music, and art; In addition, he formed crucial relationships with various European dignitaries, which later helped him secure a peace agreement ending the War of 1812.
Source => millercenter.org

6. John Adams' Library

If John Adams' bookshelves could talk, they'd be the life of the party, regaling everyone with tales of politics, philosophy, and agriculture: John Adams' library boasts over 3,000 volumes covering a broad range of subjects, many annotated by him, and reflects both his intellectual taste and influence on the Constitution.
Source => bpl.org

7. Adams vs. Jefferson Election Battle

When John Adams hit the political dance floor with Thomas Jefferson, he never missed a beat and pulled off an electric slide right into the presidency: During the 1796 election, Adams became the first U.S. president to be elected with separate political parties, winning over Jefferson by a razor-thin margin of just three electoral votes, giving American politics a taste of fierce party rivalry and punchy campaigns.
Source => constitutioncenter.org

8. Adams at the White House

While John Adams might have been the original "resident" DJ at the "White House" (get the pun?): He was actually the first president to live in the White House, but he and his wife Abigail weren't so thrilled about living there, as they had trouble finding someone to chop and haul firewood for them despite the surrounding dense woods.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Battle of Bunker Hill Witness

While John Adams wasn't quite the Michael Bay of his era, he still had a flair for explosive showmanship from a distance: As the Battle of Bunker Hill unfolded, he watched it all from the top of Penn's Hill above his family farm in Braintree, Massachusetts.
Source => whitehouse.gov

10. French Diplomacy Skills

When life gives you lemons, squeeze in some diplomacy à la mode Française: John Adams not only served as the second U.S. president, but also dabbled in diplomacy, mastering the French language during his negotiations with France in Paris.
Source => babbel.com

11. John Adams, the Tall Founding Father

Rising to great heights in both politics and entertainment, John Adams was quite literally the tall drink of 18th-century colonial America: This 6-foot-3 Founding Father not only played a pivotal role in U.S. politics, but was rumored to have been cast in a Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Club production due to his impressive stature.
Source => hastypudding.org

12. Bibliomaniac-In-Chief

If John Adams were a contestant on "Hoarders: Presidential Edition", his collection would be far more refined and educational: this bibliomaniac-in-chief amassed a staggering 3,000 books throughout his life, generously donating his personal library to the City of Quincy, save for a small selection he couldn't bear to part with. The treasure trove of texts now resides in the Rare Books Collection at the Boston Public Library, letting us all delve into the literary world he once inhabited.
Source => nps.gov

13. The Adventures of Johnalog

Before there was Twitter, there was "Johnalog": a tale of one man, a quill, and his unabridged thoughts on life, liberty, and the pursuit of meticulous record-keeping. John Adams, America's second president, etched the weather, social engagements, and his ruminations in a teensy-quarto notebook: this fine parchment diary is a treasury of facts, serving as our personal backstage pass to the life and times of a revered founding father.
Source => masshist.org

14. Adams, Minister of the Netherlands

Before he was rockin' the USA's first man-bun or doing the Borat voice in Parliament, John Adams, Founding Father and America's second president, was off securing dollar-dollar-bills for their young nation: Adams gained recognition from the Netherlands in 1782 as Minister Plenipotentiary, resulting in much-needed financial aid and establishing one of the longest unbroken diplomatic relationships between the United States and any foreign country, lasting over 200 years.
Source => nl.usembassy.gov

15. John Adams, Essayist Extraordinaire

If John Adams were alive today, he'd totally rule the "blogosphere": This founding father and the USA's second president was quite the writer, penning numerous influential essays advocating for the separation of powers and shaping the early American government.
Source => millercenter.org

16. Caped Crusader of Religious Freedom

When John Adams wasn't busy drafting the constitution or being our second President, he was hiding in the shadows as the Caped Crusader of religious freedom: Adams played a key role in promoting religious liberty in Massachusetts, leading to the repeal of Article III and the breakdown of town-by-town establishments, fostering religious diversity in the state.
Source => lawliberty.org

17. Presidential Election Soap Opera

Next time you think your family reunions are as dramatic as a soap opera, remember the 1796 family feud of Founding Fathers on steroids: John Adams narrowly bested Thomas Jefferson in the nation's first-ever contested presidential election, which featured not only mudslinging and insults but even secret plots by Alexander Hamilton to sabotage Adams' victory – and all that drama came before their bitter 1800 electoral rematch, where it took a House of Representatives' runoff and a Constitutional amendment to declare the winner.
Source => constitutioncenter.org