Presidential Message on the Birthday of President John Adams

Today, we celebrate the 290th birthday of President John Adams, a Founding Father whose intellect, integrity, and devotion to country helped secure America’s independence and strengthen the foundation of our Republic.

Born in colonial Massachusetts, John Adams grew up with a deep and abiding faith, hard work ethic, and commitment to civic virtue.  He became a respected lawyer known for his sharp mind, dedication to fairness, and courage.  Those same principles guided him to defend the Redcoats after the Boston Massacre, to serve as a delegate to both Continental Congresses, and to stand among the first to call for independence from Britain.  Adams’s influence continued with his drafting of Massachusetts’s Constitution—a document of tremendous importance in its day—and his successful diplomatic missions in Europe and Britain, which supported the American war effort and helped bring the American Revolution to its victorious conclusion.    

As our Nation’s second President, John Adams strengthened the Navy, protected American sovereignty, and defended our national interests amid global pressures.  He oversaw the move of the Federal Government to Washington, D.C., helping transform revolutionary ideals into a working system of self-government.  Through his firm leadership and unwavering resolve, he made certain that the liberty won by the Patriots of the Revolution would endure for all generations.

President Adams believed deeply in the rule of law, the importance of education, and the duty of every citizen to defend the cause of freedom.  Although he faced fierce opposition, he never wavered in putting country before politics. 

As we prepare to celebrate 250 years of American independence, my Administration continues to advance many of the same ideals President Adams fought for.  We have renamed the Department of Defense to the Department of War to honor our Nation’s history of military might and to reaffirm America’s unmatched strength in the world.  We are restoring the sacred principle of equal justice under the law by rebalancing the scales of justice in our Nation’s halls of power—and we are standing up for America’s longstanding traditions of prayer, faith, and trust in God.  We also continue to advance a foreign policy of peace through strength that puts our citizens, our values, and our Nation first. 

On this day, we celebrate a man whose conviction helped give birth to the greatest Nation in history.  May we carry forward President Adams’ legacy of strength, duty, and love of country as we work to continue ushering in the Golden Age of America.