Thomas Jefferson
publication date: Thursday, August 4, 2016 (part of Summer 2016)
category: 
Government
clue: Americans both black and white can claim this independence-declaring founding father to be their ancestor, but they can't claim him to be James Madison.
explanation: Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. A group of African Americans claiming to be descended from Jefferson and his slave Sally Hemings were vindicated when a DNA test showed that they were indeed related to him. more…
difficulty: easy
do-over: This was a "do-over" goo, inspired by incorrect guesses for a previous goo.
solved by: Russ Wilhelm, Steve West, LaVonne Lemler, Chris Lemler, Justin Woods, Richard Slominsky, Matthew Preston, and Jesse King
trivia: This goo was inspired by incorrect guesses for a goo of James Madison.
Similar Goos
James Madison
This Founding Father is remembered for drafting the Bill of Rights, overseeing the Louisiana Purchase, serving eight years as president, and declaring war on Britain, but also for owning hundreds of slaves on his Virginia plantation. Go »
Strom Thurmond
This Southern segregationist made Senate history with an epic 24-hour filibuster and an epic 49-year term that saw him still serving South Carolina at 100 years of age. Go »
Tom Vilsack
Obama's longest-serving secretary knows plenty about Iowan agriculture. Go »
Pat McCrory
This Southern governor might forever be remembered for declaring where people get to pee. Go »
Theresa May
She may not last until December if she can't fix the mess created by "Leavers." Go »
