Happy 4th of July
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday. It’s a great time to enjoy family and have barbecues, picnics, fireworks, or however you celebrate. In case any foreign viewers aren’t aware, it’s the day we Americans celebrate whooping the Brits.
As we celebrate the day of the adoption of the US Declaration of Independence, I can’t help but think of a story I recently read about one of my favorite historical figures. I suppose I will give another factoid history lesson. Similar to when I discussed a legend about the history of the song taps and the origins of Memorial day.
For those that aren’t aware, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were both on the committee formed to write the Declaration with Jefferson ultimately chosen as the primary author. Interestingly, they were also the only two signers of it that later became President.
After a bitter presidential election in 1800, they were pretty much enemies. Much later in their elder years they began to write one another and became very close friends. They both wanted to outlive the other, I presume a playful joke. In the several days leading up to July 4th, 1826 Jefferson would ask if it was the fourth yet. When that morning finally arrived, exactly 50 years to the date of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, he was told and by noon he had passed away. Several hours later, Adams also passed away, with his last words being “Jefferson still survives.” Obviously he wasn’t aware of his death yet. What irony of both passing away on the 50th anniversary.
Jefferson left very specific instructions on what words would be on his tombstone, insisting that there would be no deviations or anything added. It refers to him as the author of the Declaration of Independence but doesn’t mention his presidency. A little food for thought.
I suppose that concludes this holiday history lesson. I hope everyone out there takes it easy today and has fun, not thinking about money or finance at all!