Founding1735
John Adams Born
John Adams was born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts. He would become a leading advocate for independence, a principal author of the Massachusetts Constitution, the first Vice President, and the second President of the United States.
Why It Matters
Adams was instrumental in the founding of the republic, and his Massachusetts Constitution of 1780 became a model for the U.S. Constitution, particularly its separation of powers framework.