Greetings,

Happy Fourth of July weekend! Whether you’re sitting by the lake, grilling hot dogs with neighbors, or keeping it cool indoors, I hope you’re able to take time to celebrate Independence Day with family and friends.

Capitol tours have remained closed this summer, and I have missed sharing our nation’s rich history with constituents. One of my favorite stories on the tour ties back to the Fourth of July. In the Capitol rotunda, one of the first paintings you see is the Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull. It depicts the moment when the draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress.

When you look closely, you see that Thomas Jefferson is stepping on John Adams’ toes. These two presidents were known for their rich debate and political differences, making this sneaky detail quite humorous. Oddly enough, both of these presidents passed away on the same day years later. That date was, you guessed it, July 4th, 1826. For more on this painting, head to the Architect of the Capitol website.