John Adams as you know, was elected to succeed George Washington as the President of the United States of America. He had had a great deal to do with the creation of this new nation. He doesn’t get remembered too much for his contributions. He knew it would be that way.

His character was great, but one flaw was that he did desire to be honored for what he had been able to accomplish, which accomplishments were great, even beyond measure. You should read about his life in “Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes,” by yours truly.

Here’s what Adams had to say about history and how he would be remembered:

“The History of our Revolution will be one continued Lye from one end to the other . . . The essence of the whole will be that Dr. Franklin’s electrical Rod, smote the Earth and out sprung General Washington . . . . That Franklin electrified him with his rod—and thence forward these two conducted all the Policy, Negotiations, Legislatures and War . . . . Mausoleums, Statues, Monuments will never be erected for me, . . . .
nor flattering orations spoken to transmit me to Posterity in brillian Colours.”

He has proven to be correct, at least in that last statement. Although Congress did finally consider a monument to John after David McCullough wrote his wonderful book about John Adams just a few years ago. Perhaps John still has some hope!