A July Fourth Passing

James Monroe died on July Fourth. So did Thomas Jefferson and John Adams on the same day - July 4, 1826 - the 50th anniversary of the United States. Charles Kuralt, a personal favorite and icon of the american road, died on July 4, 1997.

Now on July 4, 2008 a controversial yet indisputedly American figure, Senator Jesse Helms died at the age of 86. For better or worse, he will now be associated as another famous American who died on the Fourth of July.