In 1826, long after his outstanding contributions to American history, the great American founder John Adams lay in his death bed, having recovered his friendship with Thomas Jefferson following years of clashing over politics. The two were exchanging letters frequently, both too elderly at this point for travel, and when Adams finally laid down to die on that day in 1826, his last words were recorded by staff and family.
"Jefferson yet lives", said the 89 year old about his 82 year old friend, and then Adams expired.
What he could not know was that Jefferson had already passed from this life... mere hours before.
Both these great contributors to our history died on the same day, on the Fourth of July, 1826… exactly fifty years from the publication of the document Jefferson wrote and both signed.
The Declaration of Independence.
A coincidence? Or one of God's attention-getting footnotes?
I'll never know... but I sure do love the story.