John Adams, the second U.S. President, died on July 4, 1826. This remarkable date marked the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Historic Coincidence

Adams passed away at his home in Quincy, Massachusetts (then part of Braintree), at age 90, just hours after his rival-turned-friend Thomas Jefferson died in Virginia. Unaware of Jefferson's death, Adams' last words were reportedly, "Thomas Jefferson survives"—an irony often highlighted in history discussions.

Context and Legacy

  • Born October 30, 1735, Adams lived through the Revolution, served as Washington's VP, and navigated early U.S. challenges like the Quasi-War.
  • His death occurred while son John Quincy Adams was president (1825–1829), a rare father-son presidential overlap.
  • No slaves owned by Adams or his son, unlike many early presidents.

Forum Buzz

Online threads, like Reddit's r/USHistory and r/Presidents, frequently revisit this event annually around July 4th. Users note the "eerie coincidence" and correct minor errors (e.g., age 90, not 91). Memes in r/HistoryMemes amplify the irony for viral appeal.

"On this day in 1826, John Adams dies... mere hours after Thomas Jefferson." – r/USHistory post

This event endures as a symbol of Founding Fathers' intertwined fates, with no recent "latest news" beyond historical remembrances.

TL;DR : July 4, 1826, aged 90, same day as Jefferson.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.