Profile of the Day: John Quincy Adams

Today marks the 255th birthday of John Quincy Adams, the sixth President of the United States.

Image: John Quincy Adams / Wikimedia Commons

Adams was born on July 11, 1767 in Braintree, Massachusetts to John and Abigail Adams. He was named after his mother’s maternal grandfather, Colonel John Quincy. The city of Quincy, Massachusetts was named after the Colonel. As a young boy, Adams witnessed the Battle of Bunker Hill from the top of Penn’s Hill above the family farm.

The son of a former President, Adams led a distinguished political career before becoming President himself. He served as a diplomat, a U.S. Senator, and as Secretary of State during James Monroe’s presidency. He later served as a member of the House of Representative after his own presidency.

In 1825, Adams became the sixth President of the United States after a contentious election. He ran against several candidates, including Andrew Jackson who won the popular vote. However, when no candidate won the majority of electoral votes, the election was sent to the House of Representatives. Despite losing the popular vote and the electoral vote, the House elected Adams to the office of the President. He would serve only one term.

Explore John Quincy Adams’s family tree and discover your connection to the sixth President of the United States.

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