American Historical Trivia

Troubles at Harvard

The year was 1789, John Adams was just warming up his seat as the first Vice President. Home from France, Adams did not expect such chaos on home shores. On top of political squabble, John was dealing with an embarrassing family matter.

Charles Adams was the younger brother of John Quincy Adams. While John Quincy was successfully gaining his Law Degree at a university in Massachusetts his baby brother was doing far less at Harvard.

College is a crazy time in anyone's life, and this was no different in the late 18th century. After a night of drinking and getting completely smashed, Charles and his buddies did the unthinkable. They promptly disrobed and ran naked through the Harvard yard- marking the first time in American history of a streaking on a university yard.

Now, the act of streaking is a Harvard tradition, known as Primal Scream (I hate that title). But, this was so absurdly unthinkable in 1789 that Charles and his friends were expelled from the University. After dismissal, Charles was sent home to New York City where his mother and father could deal with him properly.

Embarrassed beyond belief, John was forced to deal with this incident front and center for all reporters to gawk over. The reporters had a ball with this scandalous story for months and there was nothing the Adams could do.

As for poor Charles, we can only imagine how severely punished he was. Abigail and John were strict parents to say the least. They kept their children in check with no exception for 19 year old Charles.

After the incident, Charles was eventually readmitted to Harvard. But, his education went to waste. By the age of thirty Charles was a raging alcoholic who died of alcoholism. One can only imagine if he had been as successful as his father or brother- America may have had a dynasty of Presidential Adams.

But, instead, Charles Adams is remembered for his hilarious streak on history. (Ha. puns.)