John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who Benjamin Rush once described as the "North and South Poles of the American Revolution", enjoyed one of the most remarkable friendships, rivalries, and reconciliations in American history. Even more remarkable, both of them died on the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document that each was responsible for drafting. A joint memorial to both would not only give our second president a long overdue place among the memorials of our nation's capital, but it would be a powerful testament to the spirit of constructive bi-partisanship that created our nation. The Jefferson Memorial in its current form is a missed opportunity that only tells half of a truly inspiring story--one that all Americans should remember and celebrate.



