Founding Fathers

On October 6, 1723, a 17-year-old Benjamin Franklin first arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Roger Sherman, the only man in US history to sign America’s four most important documents; the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, died on July 23, 1793.

Benjamin Franklin was born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony.

On November 15, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the Articles of Confederation after 16 months of debate.

John Adams was born in Braintree (now Quincy), Massachusetts, on October 30, 1735.

On October 8, 1793, statesman, merchant, accused smuggler, and patriot John Hancock died at his home in Boston, Massachusetts.

James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on April 28, 1758, to successful Virginia plantation owners.

Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Shadwell, Colony of Virginia.

James Madison was born on March 16, 1751, in Port Conway, Virginia. James was the oldest of 12 children.