On June 30, 1826, a group of citizens in John Adams’ hometown of Quincy, Massachusetts, visited the 90-year-old former president to ask for a message to read for the upcoming 50th Fourth of July celebrations.
He stated, “I will give you, ‘Independence Forever!'” When asked if he would like to add anything else, he firmly replied, “Not one word.”
Just a few days later, on July 4, 1826—exactly 50 years to the day after the adoption of the Declaration of Independence—John Adams passed away.
