When he was a boy, John Adams thought that he would take over his father's farm when he grew up. Instead he became a lawyer. Later, when the American colonies began to fight for freedom from Britain, he got involved in politics. John became a respected leader. He helped to write the Declaration of Independence. He was sent to other countries to get aid for the young country. After the Revolutionary War, John was elected America's first vice president and second president. John loved his country very much. He died on America's 50th birthday.