24. Friends to the End?
In a twist of historical irony, founding frenemies John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both checked out on the same day: July 4th, no less. The universe scripted a finale with more patriotism than a Fourth of July fireworks show. Adams, ever the competitor, bowed out with Jefferson on his mind, not knowing his rival had already exited stage left.

There’s something poetically American about the duo who once argued about democracy deciding to make their final motion adjourned on Independence Day. It’s like they planned one last collaboration to bedazzle the annals of history.