Historian Tom Hillery Credits John Adams as "Mastermind" of a Continuing Revolution
At the Adams Memorial Foundation's July 1 Leadership Awards, historian Tom Hillery toasted John Adams as the "mastermind of the American Revolution" for tapping Washington to lead and Jefferson to draft the Declaration. He called the Revolution an ongoing experiment in self-governance, urging every generation to raise patriots ready to defend their liberty. President Jackie Cushman praised the toast as capturing Adams' enduring spirit.
District of Columbia, WA, August 21, 2026 --(PR.com)-- Historian Tom Hillery offered a powerful Independence Day tribute to John Adams during the Annual Adams Leadership Awards hosted by the Adams Memorial Foundation on July 1 at City Tavern in Washington.
In his toast, Hillery highlighted Adams’ pivotal role as the “mastermind of the American Revolution,” crediting him with selecting George Washington as commander in chief and Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence. He described Adams as a visionary “talent scout” whose legacy continues to inspire.
Hillery emphasized that the American Revolution is an ongoing experiment in self-governance that requires constant vigilance:
“John Adams, the mastermind of the American Revolution; John Adams, the guy who decided we should tap George Washington to be the commander in chief; John Adams, the guy who decided we should tap Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. Today we would call John Adams a great talent scout.
“If he was here with us today, he’d be reminding us, ‘You’re celebrating the Declaration of Independence, you’re celebrating just the beginning of the American Revolution.’ The American Revolution did not end with the Battle of Yorktown, the American Revolution did not end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The American Revolution goes on today, and it will continue to go on, because… every generation is gonna breed a would-be tyrant… Every generation has to breed patriots, who are ready to defend their lives, their liberty, and their property, sometimes pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
“So, let’s do a toast to John Adams, the mastermind of the American Revolution and to that ongoing experiment in self-governance that's working great, called the United States of America.”
“Tom Hillery’s toast beautifully captured the enduring spirit of John Adams and the American Revolution,” said Jackie Gingrich Cushman, president of the Adams Memorial Foundation. “As we honor leaders who embody the principles of liberty, self-governance, and civic virtue, we are reminded that the work of the Founding Generation continues in our own time. Every generation must produce patriots ready to defend our God-given rights.”
Hillery, a Boston native and longtime advocate for the principles of the Founding, reinforced the message in a prepared statement:
“This Independence Day, July 4, 2026, commemorates the beginning of the American Revolution. The Revolution was won at Yorktown in 1781 and concluded by the Treaty of Paris in 1783. But the principles of the American Revolution must always be defended, anywhere in the world, for there will always be a tyrant who attempts to usurp the rights and liberties of the people.”
Hillery also praised the Founders, stating: “John Adams and the Founders were not perfect; they were merely the smartest, bravest, most honorable men that this world has ever produced.”
About Tom Hillery
In addition to being a historian, Hillery is an executive producer, director, and writer at Starlight Productions Nevada. The Boston native holds a B.A. from Clark University (1985) and an M.L.A. from Harvard University (1997). A holder of 13 U.S. patents, Hillery works to bridge the creative and financial communities to produce impactful, profitable projects that serve broad audiences.
The Annual Adams Leadership Awards dinner brought together congressional leaders, diplomats, historians, and supporters to honor the Adams family legacy and advance efforts for a permanent memorial on the National Mall.
About the Adams Memorial Foundation
The Adams Memorial Foundation is dedicated to establishing a national memorial in Washington honoring President John Adams, First Lady Abigail Adams, President John Quincy Adams, First Lady Louisa Catherine Adams, Congressman and Ambassador Charles Francis Adams Sr., and historian Henry Adams, whose contributions helped shape our constitutional republic. The foundation works to educate the public on the Adams family’s legacy of patriotism, civic duty, faith, and public service through advocacy, programming, and private philanthropy. For more information, visit TheAdamsMemorial.org.
Media Contact:
Lauren Waite
Operations Manager, Adams Memorial Foundation lwaite@theadamsmemorial.org
In his toast, Hillery highlighted Adams’ pivotal role as the “mastermind of the American Revolution,” crediting him with selecting George Washington as commander in chief and Thomas Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence. He described Adams as a visionary “talent scout” whose legacy continues to inspire.
Hillery emphasized that the American Revolution is an ongoing experiment in self-governance that requires constant vigilance:
“John Adams, the mastermind of the American Revolution; John Adams, the guy who decided we should tap George Washington to be the commander in chief; John Adams, the guy who decided we should tap Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. Today we would call John Adams a great talent scout.
“If he was here with us today, he’d be reminding us, ‘You’re celebrating the Declaration of Independence, you’re celebrating just the beginning of the American Revolution.’ The American Revolution did not end with the Battle of Yorktown, the American Revolution did not end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. The American Revolution goes on today, and it will continue to go on, because… every generation is gonna breed a would-be tyrant… Every generation has to breed patriots, who are ready to defend their lives, their liberty, and their property, sometimes pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
“So, let’s do a toast to John Adams, the mastermind of the American Revolution and to that ongoing experiment in self-governance that's working great, called the United States of America.”
“Tom Hillery’s toast beautifully captured the enduring spirit of John Adams and the American Revolution,” said Jackie Gingrich Cushman, president of the Adams Memorial Foundation. “As we honor leaders who embody the principles of liberty, self-governance, and civic virtue, we are reminded that the work of the Founding Generation continues in our own time. Every generation must produce patriots ready to defend our God-given rights.”
Hillery, a Boston native and longtime advocate for the principles of the Founding, reinforced the message in a prepared statement:
“This Independence Day, July 4, 2026, commemorates the beginning of the American Revolution. The Revolution was won at Yorktown in 1781 and concluded by the Treaty of Paris in 1783. But the principles of the American Revolution must always be defended, anywhere in the world, for there will always be a tyrant who attempts to usurp the rights and liberties of the people.”
Hillery also praised the Founders, stating: “John Adams and the Founders were not perfect; they were merely the smartest, bravest, most honorable men that this world has ever produced.”
About Tom Hillery
In addition to being a historian, Hillery is an executive producer, director, and writer at Starlight Productions Nevada. The Boston native holds a B.A. from Clark University (1985) and an M.L.A. from Harvard University (1997). A holder of 13 U.S. patents, Hillery works to bridge the creative and financial communities to produce impactful, profitable projects that serve broad audiences.
The Annual Adams Leadership Awards dinner brought together congressional leaders, diplomats, historians, and supporters to honor the Adams family legacy and advance efforts for a permanent memorial on the National Mall.
About the Adams Memorial Foundation
The Adams Memorial Foundation is dedicated to establishing a national memorial in Washington honoring President John Adams, First Lady Abigail Adams, President John Quincy Adams, First Lady Louisa Catherine Adams, Congressman and Ambassador Charles Francis Adams Sr., and historian Henry Adams, whose contributions helped shape our constitutional republic. The foundation works to educate the public on the Adams family’s legacy of patriotism, civic duty, faith, and public service through advocacy, programming, and private philanthropy. For more information, visit TheAdamsMemorial.org.
Media Contact:
Lauren Waite
Operations Manager, Adams Memorial Foundation lwaite@theadamsmemorial.org
Contact
The Adams Memorial Foundation
Lauren Waite
503-551-3029
theadamsmemorial.org
Lauren Waite
503-551-3029
theadamsmemorial.org
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