John Adams

Defends the British soldiers charged with murder after the Boston Massacre. Everyone hates the British. Adams takes the case anyway. "Facts are stubborn things," he tells the jury. He wins acquittals for six of the eight. His law practice suffers. He does it because he believes in the right to counsel. He is 34.

Serves on the committee that drafts the Declaration of Independence and becomes its primary advocate in Congress. Jefferson writes it but Adams argues for it. He predicts July 2 will be "the most memorable epoch in the history of America." He's off by two days.

Inaugurated as the second president. His vice president is Thomas Jefferson, who also happens to be the leader of the opposing party. The entire presidency is consumed by the threat of war with France and internal party warfare. He signs the Alien and Sedition Acts. He avoids war. His own party, led by Hamilton, undermines him at every turn.

Becomes the first president to live in the White House. Loses reelection to Jefferson and leaves Washington before dawn on Inauguration Day without attending the ceremony. He and Jefferson don't speak for 12 years.

Dies at home in Quincy, Massachusetts, on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. His last words, reportedly: "Thomas Jefferson survives." Jefferson had actually died a few hours earlier at Monticello, but Adams didn't know.