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circa 1780: Samuel Adams (1722-1803). American Revolutionary patriot, political agitator. With passage of the Stamp Act 1765, organized the Sons of Liberty. After passage of the Tea Act of 1773, presided over an all day meeting December 16, after which the ‘Boston Tea Party’ took place. Attended First Continental Congress 1775; elected to Second Cont’l. Congress; signed Declaration of Independence 1776, governor of Massachusetts 1794-97. (Photo by Stock Montage/Stock Montage/Getty Images)