lafayette: A Frenchman who helped General Washington Win

On the occasion of America’s 250th, learn more about the Marquis de Lafayette and his important role in the American Revolution! Chuck Schwam, the Executive Director of the American Friends of Lafayette, will be joining us online to discuss this frenchman’s importance in the early days of the USA.

Last year, the American Friends of Lafayette commemorated the Bicentennial of General Marquis de Lafayette’s farewell tour of the US, an event that took place in 1824-1825, where General Marquis de Lafayette was invited by President James Monroe to tour the states in order to increase patriotism and create a sense of unity in the civil unrest of the time.

A key reason for the Bicentennial tour was to cement the friendship between France and America. Schwam says, “People don’t realize that next to the US, the allied with the most troops in harm’s way were French. We would have never won the Revolutionary War without France. It never, ever, never would have happened. There were more French military personnel in Yorktown than American. And this is something that we feel is important. We tell people that without France’s involvement we would have never gained our independence.”

Next year, the American Friends of Lafayette will begin their own commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, coiniciding 250 years to the day the Marquis de Lafayette landed on American soil. You can find out more about their celebration here.

This event will be held in English on Zoom. Please register for this free event in advance, and consider making a $10 donation, so we can contiune to bring you wonderful cultural events like this one.

about chuck schwam

Chuck Schwam is the Executive Director of The American Friends of Lafayette. He was the head of planning for the Bicentennial Farewell tour that took place last year and he previously was the treasurer of the organization. He is highly passionate about history, and of course, the Marquis de Lafayette.