There is a little told story that few know unless they happened to visit Monticello or are just plain trivia enthusiasts. The committee who drew up the Declaration consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. John Adams would go on to be our second President, and Thomas Jefferson, after serving as Adam's Vice-President, became our third President. Though both loved their country, they saw its future differently and disagreed regularly on political issues. Only as they became older did they reconcile these issues and become friends. Both wanted to live long enough to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration.

I always marvel that on July 4, 1826, the date of the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, both men died. Adams outlived Jefferson by a few hours. They did, in fact, live to see the day, but not to enjoy it. James Monroe, our fifth President, and a close friend of Jefferson, living only a few miles from Monticello, died on July 4, 1831, just five years after Jefferson and Adams. Thus three of our Presidents, all involved in one way or another with our Independence, died on our Country's Birthday. Very ironic!

I wish for you and your family a safe and enjoyable summer.