Here are some quick facts, opinions, quotes and other information on President John Adams:
Personal Information on John Adams:
- Second President (1797-1801)
- Birthday: October 30, 1735 (Sunday)
- Birthplace: Braintree, Massachusetts
- Birthplace Website: President John Adams’ Birthplace
- Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
- Date of Death: July 4, 1826 (Tuesday)
- Place of Death: Quincy, Massachusetts
- Place of Burial: United First Parish Church, Quincy Massachusetts
- Burial Website: President John Adams’ Grave
- Cause of Death: Heart Failure
- Age: 90 years old
- Length of Retirement: 9253 days
Interesting John Adams facts:
- John Adams was the first President whose parents wanted him to be a minister. He would not be the last to choose another occupation and disappoint their parents because they did not choose the ministry. Adams would graduate from Harvard with an AB degree (we now call it a BA or Bachelor of Arts degree). After graduation he would teach for a few years in Worcester, Massachusetts, while he decided what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. I guess that makes him the first teacher President.
- John Adams currently stands in the fourth spot in Presidential retirement days (the number of days after he left the Presidency until his death). He lived 9253 days (over 25 years) after he left the Presidency. He died in 1826 and it would be 132 years before someone would break his record. Hebert Hoover passed him up in 1958 and when Hoover died, he had been retired from the Presidency for 11553 days. Hoover currently stands second in total retirement days. Jimmy Carter, who is still alive, has lived the most days after he was President. Carter keeps adding to his over 12,500 days each day. Gerald Ford, who is also ahead of Adams, sits in third, at 10932 days. George HW Bush, who is also still alive, sits in the fifth spot and he is about three years away from Adams’ feat.
- John Adams is tied with William McKinley as being the fourth shortest President. Adams was five feet, seven inches tall. James Madison was the shortest President at five feet, four inches tall. Martin Van Buren and Benjamin Harrison were tied for second shortest Presidents. Both of those Presidents were five feet, six inches tall.
My favorite John Adams Quotes:
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
Duty is ours; results are God’s.
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy.
No man who ever held the office of president would congratulate a friend on obtaining it.
Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.
America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy.
Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone.
John Adams blogs (click the title to go to that page):
John Adams page on Presidential Crossroads (click “John Adams” below):
John Adams
John Adams Blogs:
The Unselfish Delegate and the Committee of Five
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson Dying on the Same Day
Role in the Declaration of Independence
Possible Presidents with Depression
What similiar trait do I have with the first ten Presidents
Personal thoughts on John Adams:
Strengths:
Love of independence, Loyal, Passionate
Weaknesses:
Moody, A downer at times, Royalty inclinations
Presidential Greatness Scale (1-poor to 5-great): 2.9
Comments:
Poor John Adams. He was a Federalist, but when he became President, the Federalists, lead by Alexander Hamilton, didn’t like him. On the other side, Jefferson and his Republicans were none too happy with Adams either. Adams’ Alien and Sedition Acts gave him the power to imprison or deport immigrants or non-citizens who were deemed dangerous or from hostile countries. It also made it a crime to make a false or critical statement about the government. John Adams also led the charge in the undeclared Quasi-War. The Quasi-War resulted when Adams refused to repay the government of France, which had been overthrown and had a new government, for our American War debt. This lead to France attacking our ships. Adams built up a navy and because of that he has been call the Father of the American Navy. I believe Adams almost felt like the Presidency made him a king. Like many kings you read about, Adams was also known to pout when he didn’t get his way. I thought the idea of independence, which he was one of the strongest supporters of, was getting away from the idea of a king.
Favorite John Adams book:
John Adams by David McCullough
Favorite John Adams story:
My favorite story of John Adams is his off and on friendship with Thomas Jefferson. It seems kind of fitting that they died on the same day, July 4,1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Most memorable John Adams memory:
Watching the HBO miniseries “John Adams” with my wife.
Favorite John Adams possession (see picture at the top):
A 1964 pamphlet on his, and his son’s, John Quincy Adams, birthplace.
