As a genealogist, I see a lot, I mean A LOT of dates in my research. I became interested in those dates in my family tree and in the coincidental dates of U.S. historical figures and occurrences.
First I will let you know about several incredibly famous men and occurrences in the history of the United States. So, reach into your memory and think way back to your days in elementary school when you first learned about the presidents of the United States and about its history. Was that in fourth grade?
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. When you purchase through a link to an Amazon affiliate link placed on our website, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Here are the coincidental dates that seem to stand out:
1. The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America, written by Thomas Jefferson was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Most members of the Continental Congress had signed it by August of 1776.
2. John Adams, the second president of the United States died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He was 90 years old when he succumbed to a heart attack. “Thomas Jefferson survives,” was rumored to be among the last words from his deathbed in Quincy, Massachusetts. He was unaware that his friend died that day more than 500 miles away in Virginia.
3. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States died on July 4, 1826, at his beloved estate of Monticello on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He lived to the ripe old age of 83 years and suffered for at least six years from declining health, but his mind, it was reported, always remained agile until the last days of his life. And, yes, he died on the same day as President John Adams, just hours apart!
Note: in 2005 historian Margaret P. Battin entertained the meaning behind the same-day deaths of Adams and Jefferson by offering six possibilities:
A. Coincidence
B. Divine intervention
C. “Hanging on” to life in order to ensure death on July 4th
D. Caused to die by others
E. Causing oneself to die
Each of these theories, she says, lacks historical evidence.
4. James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, died on July 4, 1831, from heart failure and tuberculosis at his daughter’s home in New York City. He was 73 years old and was best known for issuing the Monroe Doctrine, a policy of opposing European colonialism in the Americas while effectively asserting U.S. dominance, empire, and hegemony in the hemisphere.
5. Zachary Taylor, the twelfth president of the United States ate a bowl of allegedly bad cherries thereby contracting cholera on July 4, 1850, which killed him on July 9, 1850. He was 65 years old. He was also the last president born before the adoption of the U.S. Constitution.
6. James Calvin Coolidge Jr., the thirtieth president of the United States was born on July 4, 1872, in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. He was known for his terse and quiet demeanor earning him the nickname of “Silent Cal.”
7. Alaska’s star, the 49th one, was added to the U.S. flag on July 4, 1959.
8. Hawaii’s star, the 50th one, was added to the U.S. flag on July 4, 1960.
Okay, so the addition of the 49th and 50th stars to the United States flag was planned, but what about the dates of birth and death of four U.S. presidents?
There has been a great deal of information written about genealogical and historical coincidences in the recent past. I decided that I would take a closer look at my own family tree. Is genealogical serendipity at work here? And yes, I know that with 365 days in a year these coincidences are bound to happen.
But here is what I found coincidental for the first week in July regarding my family tree:
My paternal great-grandmother, Florence Brenneman Smith Allen was born on July 3, 1868, in Duncannon, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, I have no photo of her.
My maternal great-grandparents, Irvin Lord and Elsie Goble were married on July 2, 1898, in Binghamton, New York.
This picture is from about 1905 when my grandfather was a child.
My parents, Joseph S. Allen and Lorraine E. Lord were married on July 3, 1948, in Shavertown, Pennsylvania.
If you notice, all the years of those family dates end with the number eight!
Do you have any of those family genealogical coincidences?
Have a great 4th of July, everyone!!!
Our blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Comentarios