American actress Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil received a patent for an electronic device that minimized the jamming of radio signals; it later became a component of satellite and cellular phone technology.

TODAY’S PATRIOT

John Adams (1735–1826) – A fierce advocate for independence and the rule of law, John Adams was a central figure in the American Revolution and the second U.S. President. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre, believing in justice over mob rule. As a diplomat, he secured vital foreign support and helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris. Adams warned against unchecked government power and was the first to live in the White House. His life was marked by deep patriotism, even when it came at personal and political cost.

One of the most revealing moments from John Adams’ life came during the Boston Massacre trials in 1770. Despite being a fierce patriot, Adams chose to defend the British soldiers accused of killing five colonists, believing that every man deserved a fair trial—regardless of politics. It was an unpopular move that risked his reputation, but Adams argued the law must rise above emotion and mob rule. His defense was so effective that most of the soldiers were acquitted. Adams later reflected, “The part I took in defense of Captain Preston and the soldiers… was one of the best pieces of service I ever rendered my country.” That moment showcased Adams’ fierce commitment to justice, even when it cost him dearly with his fellow revolutionaries. It also cemented his reputation as a man of principle above party.