John Adams had a reputation for articulate jabs and razor-sharp put-downs at the expense of his rivals and allies ... malicious, crapulous mass," as Adams wrote in 1819 to Thomas Jefferson ...

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson chipped off a piece of wood from Shakespeare's chair in the 18th century—but only because everyone else was doing it.

The document, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Philip Livingston and Roger Sherman, announces the separation of 13 North American British colonies from Great Britain.