John Adams, who played a major part in winning European support for the cause of American independence, served as Washington's vice-president and succeeded him as president in 1797. He was succeeded in 1801 by Thomas Jefferson, the principal drafter of the Declaration of Independence, signed on 4 July 1776.
In 1826, although failing fast, Adams was determined to survive until the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration. At dawn on that day, he was awakened by his servant, who asked if he knew what day it was. He replied, "Oh, yes, it's the glorious fourth of July. God bless it. God bless you all." He then slipped into a coma. In the afternoon he recovered consciousness briefly to murmur, "Thomas Jefferson lives." These were his last words. Unknown to him, Jefferson had died that same day.