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.       

Madison first distinguished himself as a student at the College
of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he successfully completed a four-year course of study in two years and, in 1769,
helped found the American Whig Society, the second literary and
debate society at Princeton (and the world), to rival the previously established Cliosophic Society.

After retiring from official political positions, Madison served
Thomas Jefferson’s beloved University of Virginia first as a
member of the board of visitors and then as rector. In 1938,
the State Teachers College at Harrisonburg, Virginia, was
renamed in Madison’s honor as Madison College; in 1976,
it became James Madison University.

The constitutional convention in Virginia. 

On February 22, 1732, George Washington was born in
Westmoreland County, Virginia, the first of six children
of Augustine and Mary Ball Washington. (Augustine had
three additional children from a previous marriage.)

An initially loyal British subject, Washington eventually
led the Continental Army in the American Revolution
and became the new nation’s first president.

He is often referred to as the father of the United States.

_{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.