_{Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826)}

Founding Father Thomas Jefferson served as the third president
of the United States from 1801 to 1809 was the primary author of
the Declaration of Independence.

Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas
Jefferson reviewing the Declaration of
Independence in 1776.

      Madison’s portrait as congressional delegate at age 32.

James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836)

On March 16, 1751, James Madison, drafter of the Constitution,
recorder of the Constitutional Convention, author of the
Federalist Papers and fourth president of the United States, 
was born on a plantation in Virginia.

First page of the original handwritten copy of the U.S. Constitution.

Benjamin Franklin  (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790)

Benjamin Franklin, scientist, philosopher, author and the
most celebrated American on both sides of the Atlantic
Ocean in the era of revolution, was born on this day in
history, Jan. 17, 1706. 

The Founding Father’s bust and the words "Birthplace of
Franklin" mark the site at 17 Milk St. in downtown Boston
today. 

Benjamin Franklin statue at old Massachusetts
State house in Boston.

Washington on his Deathbed, an 1851 portrait by Junius
Brutus Stearns.

George Washington, the American revolutionary leader and
first president of the United States, died at his estate in Mount
Vernon, Virginia. He was 67 years old. His last words were
"’Tis well."

The diagnosis of Washington’s illness and the immediate
cause of his death have been subjects of much debate.       

     
Modern medical authors have concluded that he likely died
from  severe epiglottitis, an inflammation in the throat,
complicated by various treatments which included extensive bloodletting.      
 


        
        
        
        
       

The sarcophagi of George (right) and Martha Washington at
the entrance to their tomb in Mount Vernon.

Marble Statue of George Washington by Jean-Antoine
Houdon, circa 1794 State Capital, Commonwealth of
Virginia, Library of Virginia.

John Jay (December 23, 1745 – May 17, 1829)

(FOX NEWS) – Founding Father John Jay, a towering figure
among the intellectual giants who forged the nation, was
sworn in as first chief justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States on this day in history, Oct. 19, 1789. 

The New York native held the title until resigning in 1795,
among the shortest tenures for the prestigious lifetime
appointment.

Only 16 other people have held the title of Supreme Court
chief justice in the 227 years since.

On the night of May 14, 1829, Jay was stricken with palsy,
probably caused by a stroke. He lived for three more days,
dying in Bedford, New York.

Jay’s childhood home in Rye, New York is a New York
State Historic Site and Westchester County Park.

Jay’s retirement home near Katonah, New York.