Famous Last Words

In one's life, the last words are the most important. So for this week's edition of famous quotes, I thought I would share some famous last words.

"Thomas Jefferson still survives." -John Adams
Although in his nineties and gravely ill, he resolved to live until the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1826. That morning he was awakened by his servant who inquired if he knew what day it was. "Oh, yes," Adams replied, "it is the glorious fourth of July. God bless it. God bless you all." He then lapsed into unconsciousness. Later that afternoon, he awakened briefly to mumble "Thomas Jefferson still surv. . . ." before dying. Actually, Thomas Jefferson had died earlier that day.

"Pardonnez-moi, monsieur." -Marie Antoinette, Queen of France
Marie Antoinette was the wife of King Louis XVI. She was convicted of treason following the Revolution and sentenced to death by beheading. As she approached the guillotine, she accidentally stepped on the foot of her executioner.

"Friends applaud, the comedy is over." -Ludwig van Beethoven

"Take a step forward, lads. It will be easier that way." -Robert Erskine Childers
Erskine Childers, a veteran of the Boer War and World War I, was a writer and Irish nationalist. He was executed following the establishment of the Irish Free State. Childers had been fighting with the Republican Forces when he was captured by pro-treaty troops at Annamore. He was tried before a military court, found guilty of possessing an automatic pistol, and executed by firing squad at Beggars Bush Barracks.

"Congestion. Stopped." -Joseph Henry Green
Joseph Henry Green was a distinguished 19th century British surgeon. On his deathbed he is said to have remarked, "Congestion," after taking an especially raspy breath. He then checked his own pulse, announced "Stopped," and died.

"Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub." Conrad N. Hilton
Conrad Hilton was born in San Antonio, New Mexico, and began his career by renting out rooms in his adobe home. He took a job as a local bank cashier and was so successful that he soon purchased a bank of his own. He assumed control of a small hotel in Cisco, Texas, in 1919 and over the next sixty years built an international hospitality empire. On his deathbed just before he died, Hilton was asked if he had any last words of wisdom for the world.

"John Rogers did." -John Holmes
John Holmes was a U.S. lawyer and the brother of Oliver Wendell Holmes. After he had lain absolutely quiet and motionless on his deathbed for an extraordinarily long period of time, those assembled in the room suspected that he had died. A nurse checked his pulse, found none, and announced that she would feel his feet to see if they were warm, "If they are, he's alive. Nobody ever died with warm feet." "John Rogers did," came Holmes's reply. John Rogers was a Protestant martyr who had been burned at the stake.

"And now, in keeping with Channel 40's policy of always bringing you the latest in blood and guts, in living color, you're about to see another first--an attempted suicide." -Chris Hubbock
Chris Hubbock was an American newscaster who killed herself during a live broadcast in Sarasota, Florida (Larry, thanks for the location.) in the early 1970's.

"That's obvious." -John F. Kennedy
John Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald as he was traveling by motorcade through the streets of Dallas. Kennedy was visiting Dallas to help prepare for his coming election campaign. Many citizens were lining the streets to watch the procession as it passed. Kennedy had just responded to the Texas governor's wife's comment, "Mr. President, you can't say that Dallas doesn't love you" when the first of Oswald's bullets struck him in the head.

"Drink to me!" -Pablo Picasso

"They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist-" -General John Sedgwick

So these are just a few of my favorite famous last words. If you want to see more check out this funny video here. As always, if you have any questions or comments feel free to post them. That's it for me, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

-Beast