Happy Birthday, John Quincy Adams

Today marks the 244th anniversary of the birth of John Quincy Adams — Sixth President of the United States. But did you know he did much, much more in his career besides serve as President? He also served as:

• US Representitive
• Secretary of State
• Ambassador to the UK
• Ambassador to Russia
• Ambassador to Prussia
• State Senator of MA

Any single one of the positions would make for an illustrious career. Truly, he was a massive asset to the United States. Today, we wouldlike to honor him by showing off some of his relations to other influential people.

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the USA is John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the USA’s 9th cousin once removed? That’s pretty neat. They sure don’t teach that in grade school.

The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley, is John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the USA’s 11th cousin twice removed. When you click on the link, it will bring you to a chart that walks you through each relation back until you find their most recent common ancestor. It’s a great tool.

Did you know John Quincy Adams and his father John Adams along with George W. Bush and his father George H. W. Bush are the only father-son pairs to have ever both served as US Presidents? That’s a great piece of trivia, but did you know that both pairs are related to each other? George W. Bush, 43rd President of the USA is John Quincy Adams, 6th President of the USA’s fifth cousin 6 times removed through the Bush parental line. It really is a great illustration of how we’re all related to each other.

So, are you in the world family tree? Let us know how you’re related to John Quincy Adams by dropping us a note in the comments, on Twitter, or on Facebook.

Happy birthday, John Quincy Adams!