John Adams


The Declaration of Independence of the United States was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. His original draft was, however, reviewed and edited by the Second Continental Congress before it was approved, printed and signed. What changed between the final draft by Jefferson and the approved version provide a fascinating insight in to American society and politics at the time of the War of Independence. As a rousing […]

All men are created equal


John Adams, a key Founding Father and the second President of the United States, was also responsible for drafting the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In doing so, he devised the oldest functioning written constitution in continuous effect in the world. John Adams had spent decades languishing as one history’s most overlooked Founding Father. Overshadowed by George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, the second […]

John Adams and the world’s oldest constitution



One of the greatest fears of the Founding Fathers of the United States was the emergence of a new tyranny of a monarchy or oligarchy. A strong independent and republican strain rebelled against the idea of power being concentrated in the hands of the few. They were even more repelled by the idea of nepotistic families dominating politics in the fledgling nation. But America has never […]

America’s White House dynasties


The Fourth of July is celebrated as Independence Day in the United States of America. Celebration is the key word – dazzling fireworks erupting over cities and towns and families gathering at sun drenched BBQs and picnics on this best loved of public holidays. It has been officially commemorated since the 1780s and observed as a federal holiday since 1870. But are Americans celebrating on the […]

Independence Day – Fourth of July?



Vaguely Interesting Snippets | 10 January 2013 The UK’s state pension age would have to be 80 if it were to be restricted to the same percentage of people as received the original old age pensions provided in 1908, according to a study by Longevitas. Also vaguely interesting that the original pension age was set at 70 – fully two years more than will be reached […]


One of the greatest fears of radical revolutionaries in America was the threat of monarchy emerging out of the nascent republic. But, whilst clearly not establishing a monarchy in the traditional sense, America’s founding fathers were influenced by the stability of government in the European monarchies. Did they create a non-hereditary and elected King of America? The crown of a new nation was really his for […]

Is the President of the United States really the King of America?



Vaguely Interesting Snippets | 13 November 2012  Mein Kampf was required reading in Hitler’s Third Reich – so much so that the state provided marrying couples with a special version for free – the Hochzeitsausgabe, or Wedding Edition. It came in a white slipcase and featured the seal of the province embossed in gold onto a parchment-like cover. The Queen’s Speech is written on goatskin vellum […]


Vaguely Interesting Snippets | 14 April – 20 April 2012  John Adams, the second President of the United States, had a dog called Satan. Luxury clothing retailer Aquascutum has just gone into administration. Its name is a portmanteau of the Latin words ‘aqua’ and ‘scutum’ and translates as ‘water shield’, and was adopted after its founder discovered a process for waterproofing wool. The Eiffel Tower was […]