Thomas, Jefferson

1743 - Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743. He is US architect, diplomat, inventor, Democratic-Republican politician, and scholar

1769-1774 - Thomas Jefferson  is a member of House of Burgesses

1775-1776 - He is the Virginia delegate to Continental Congress  

1783-1784 - Once again he is the Virginia delegate to Continental Congress  

1776 - He appointed by Continental Congress as chairman of 5-member committee. He wrote Declaration of Independence

1776 - Signer of Declaration of Independence as delegate from Virginia

1776-1779 - Thomas Jefferson becomes a member of Virginia house of delegates

1779-1781 - He served as Governor of Virginia

1785-1789 - Jefferson served as US ambassador to France

1786 - He drafted Virginia Statute of Religious Liberty

1789-1793 - He becomes the 1st Secretary of State

1797-1801 - Jefferson was elected as Vice-President of US

1797-1815 - President of American Philosophical Society

1801-1809 - He becomes the 3rd president of US

He advocated agrarian republic with decentralized government and safeguarding of civil liberties

1801-1805 - Jefferson halted tribute to Tripolitan pirates and oversaw Tripolitan War

1802 - He wrote "wall of separation" letter to Danbury Baptist Association

1803 - Jefferson bought Louisiana Purchase from France, roughly doubling size of US

1804-1806 - He commissioned Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore newly acquired territory

1807 - He signed law banning importation of slaves into US (into effect 1808)

1807 - By releasing only select information for Aaron Burr's treason trial, established precedent of executive privilege

1807 - To punish Britain and France for seizures of US ships, signed Embargo Act 1807, halting sea trade with all foreign nations

1809 - He signed Non-Intercourse Act 1809, limiting embargo only to trade with Britain and France

1819 - Jefferson founded University of Virginia (chartered 1819, opened 1825)

He invented dumbwaiter and swivel chair

1826 - Jefferson died on the 4th of July, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the same day as John Adams' death.