Politicians who died on July 4

Take a focused look at the politicians who passed away on July 4. Dive into curated bios, achievements, and cultural milestones verified by our editors.

• 1826 John Adams

  John Adams was an American statesman, attorney, diplomat, and writer who served as the second president of the United States (1797–1801) after serving as the first vice president under George Washington. An influential Founding Father, Adams played a leading role in advocating for independence from Britain and was a key figure in drafting the Declaration of Independence. [bio]

• 2008 Jesse Helms

  Influential conservative Republican Senator from North Carolina who served from 1973 to 2003, known for his staunch right-wing political...