24 moments

1. Birth at the Adams birthplace

   1767-07-11 · John Quincy Adams Birthplace, Quincy (then Braintree), Massachusetts Bay, British America

   

   John Quincy Adams was born in the Massachusetts community then called Braintree, now Quincy. The birthplace is in present-day Quincy; the source uses the contemporary jurisdiction of Braintree.

2. Departure for Europe with his father

   1778-01-01 · Europe

   

   As a child, Adams left North America with his father for the latter's diplomatic work in France and the Netherlands. The evidence supports presence in Europe but does not identify a single arrival point; coordinates are a representative continental point.

3. Secretary to Francis Dana in Russia

   1781-01-01 · Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire

   

   Adams traveled to Saint Petersburg and served as secretary to American diplomat Francis Dana. The source supports year-level precision only.

4. Stranded en route through Copenhagen

   1783-02-20 · Copenhagen, Denmark

   

   During his return journey from Russia toward western Europe, Adams recorded that he had arrived in Copenhagen and was awaiting a favorable wind.

5. Journey to Great Britain with John Adams

   1784-01-01 · Great Britain

   

   After returning to the Netherlands, Adams accompanied his father to Great Britain. The source identifies Great Britain, not a specific settlement; coordinates are a representative national point.

6. Arrival in Cambridge after return to Massachusetts

   1785-09-14 · Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

   

   Following his return to the United States to complete his education, Adams recorded arriving in Cambridge during a Massachusetts journey.

7. Legal study with Theophilus Parsons

   1787-01-01 · Newburyport, Massachusetts, United States

   

   After Harvard, Adams began studying law with Theophilus Parsons in Newburyport, a formative step before his legal and diplomatic careers. The source supports an 1787–1789 period; the card uses the beginning year.

8. Opening a Boston law practice

   1790-01-01 · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

   

   Adams opened his own law practice in Boston, establishing his financial independence before entering diplomacy.

9. Arrival as minister in Amsterdam

   1794-11-24 · Amsterdam, Netherlands

   

   Adams wrote from Amsterdam shortly after arriving in the Netherlands to begin his first ministerial posting.

10. Winter in London

    1795-01-01 · London, England, Great Britain

    

    While serving in the Netherlands, Adams spent the winter of 1795–1796 in London, where he met Louisa Catherine Johnson. The source supports a winter-long stay; the card uses year-level precision.

11. Marriage to Louisa Catherine Johnson

    1797-07-26 · All Hallows-by-the-Tower, London, England, Great Britain

    

    Adams married Louisa Catherine Johnson at All Hallows-by-the-Tower in London before beginning his Prussian mission.

12. Arrival at Prussian post

    1797-11-01 · Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia

    

    Adams, Louisa Adams, and Thomas Boylston Adams arrived in Berlin to take up Adams's diplomatic assignment to Prussia. The source specifies early November but not a day.

13. Return to Boston after Prussian service

    1801-01-01 · Boston, Massachusetts, United States

    

    After leaving office with his father in early 1801, Adams returned to the United States and resumed legal work in Boston. The source supports year-level precision only.

14. Arrival as minister to Russia

    1809-10-01 · Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire

    

    Adams arrived in Saint Petersburg to begin service as the first United States minister to Russia.

15. Peace negotiations at Ghent

    1814-01-01 · Ghent, United Netherlands

    

    After leaving Russia, Adams joined the American peace delegation negotiating with Britain at Ghent during the War of 1812. The source says mid-1814 without a month; the card uses year-level precision.

16. Signing of the Treaty of Ghent

    1814-12-24 · Ghent, United Netherlands

    

    Adams was one of the American plenipotentiaries who signed the Treaty of Ghent, ending the War of 1812.

17. Lodging in Paris during the Hundred Days

    1815-01-01 · Hôtel du Nord, Rue de Richelieu, Paris, France

    

    Following the Treaty of Ghent, Adams stayed in Paris during Napoleon's Hundred Days restoration. The historic hotel address is used as the documented site; coordinates are approximate to 97 Rue de Richelieu.

18. Ministerial work in London

    1815-01-01 · London, England, United Kingdom

    

    Appointed United States minister to the United Kingdom, Adams spent much of his time in London assisting stranded American sailors and prisoners of war. The preceding source context dates his appointment to May 1815; the card uses year-level precision.

19. Secretary of State correspondence from Washington

    1821-03-20 · Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    

    As secretary of state, Adams sent official instructions from the Department of State in Washington to General Andrew Jackson. The document establishes Washington as its dated place of issuance; coordinates represent the city because the specific Department of State office is not identified.

20. Presidential inauguration

    1825-03-04 · House of Representatives Chamber, United States Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    

    Adams was sworn in as the sixth president of the United States in the House of Representatives Chamber at the Capitol. The 1825 House chamber was within the Capitol; coordinates identify the Capitol building.

21. Harvard commencement appearance

    1831-08-31 · Harvard Yard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States

    

    During his post-presidential period, Adams attended Harvard's commencement in Cambridge and took part in the ceremonial procession.

22. Amistad argument before the Supreme Court

    1841-02-24 · Supreme Court chamber, United States Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    

    Adams argued for the African captives of the Amistad before the Supreme Court, delivering a four-hour argument that preceded their successful claim to freedom. The Supreme Court then met in the Capitol; coordinates identify the Capitol building.

23. Return to the House chamber after stroke

    1847-02-13 · House of Representatives Chamber, United States Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    

    After recovering from a stroke, Adams resumed congressional duties and entered the House chamber to public applause. Coordinates identify the Capitol building containing the historical House chamber.

24. Death in the Speaker's Room

    1848-02-23 · Speaker's Room, United States Capitol, Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    

    After collapsing on the House floor two days earlier, Adams died in the Speaker's Room inside the Capitol. Coordinates identify the Capitol building; the historical Speaker's Room is an interior location.