Famous Last Words

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams both died on July 4, 1826, and both were the only signers of the Declaration of Independence to become a President of the United States. On his deathbed, Jefferson’s last words were: “Is it the fourth?” and Adams’s last words were: “Thomas Jefferson survives.” But Adams was wrong. Thomas Jefferson had actually died a few hours before. One other U.S. President died on July 4th: President James Monroe who died on July 4, 1831. Only one U.S. President, Calvin Coolidge, was born on July 4th (1872).