Video: 'Disney The American Presidents: John Adams'

(Tuesday, July 4, 1826, 6:20 p.m. local time) — John Adams, the second President of the United States (1797-1801), an American Founding Father who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, died today at his home in Quincy, Massachusetts, of heart failure.

When Adams died at age 90, his last words included an acknowledgement of his longtime friend and rival: “Thomas Jefferson survives,” though Adams was unaware that Jefferson had died about six hours before.

Video: 'Fourth of July 1826: Jefferson and Adams both die—The Hand of Providence?'