American Minute - Oct. 30 - John Adams, 2nd U.S. President

American Minute
with
Bill Federer

John Adams was born OCTOBER 30, 1735.

A Harvard graduate, he was admitted to the bar and married Abigail Smith in 1764.

In the Continental Congress, John Adams recommended Thomas Jefferson pen the Declaration and George Washington be Commander-in-Chief.

John Adams authored Massachusetts' 1780 Constitution and was U.S. Minister to France, signing the Treaty of Paris that ended the Revolutionary War.

While U.S. Minister to Britain, John Adams helped ratify the Constitution by writing a three volume work: Defense of the Constitution of the Government of the United States.

John Adams was the first Vice-President, serving under George Washington, and in 1797 was elected the 2nd U.S. President.

He established the Library of Congress and the Department of Navy.

His son, John Quincy, became 6th President.

In 1819, John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson:

"Have you ever found in history, one single example of a Nation thoroughly corrupted that was afterwards restored to virtue?...

And without virtue, there can be no political liberty."

John Adams continued:

"Will you tell me how to prevent luxury from producing effeminacy, intoxication, extravagance, vice and folly?...

I believe no effort in favour of virtue is lost."