Franco-American History
From the French Ambassador to the United States of America:
Dear Friends,
The United States and France have a long common history, the history of a strong and passionate friendship between two countries that, from the start, shared the same ideals and fought for the same values. Indeed, France was America's first ally, at the time of your war of Independence, and nobody embodies this alliance better than the Marquis de Lafayette, whom we celebrate in this year of the 250th anniversary of his birth.
Lafayette fell in love with the ideals of the American Revolution when he was still a teenager, and didn't wait long to live out his passion. When he was not yet 20 years old, he sailed to America on a ship he had paid for with his own money and offered to fight in the American army, stating, "It is in these times of danger that I want to share your destiny." He took part in numerous battles led by George Washington, lobbied the French king to send a large military expedition to help the American troops, and throughout his entire life remained faithful to his love for America, to which he returned for a triumphal visit in 1824-1825.
Lafayette's bravery, passion and sense of history were extraordinary. And he was not alone--many other young French officers fought in the Revolutionary War alongside the American troops. The spirit he embodied, a spirit of friendship and of the strong alliance between France and the United States, didn't end with him. On the contrary, it inspired a unique relationship between the two countries, which have never been at war with one another and would repeatedly support each other in times of danger.
It is no surprise, then, that when American soldiers came to rescue France twice in the last century, during the two World Wars, they came with the words: "Lafayette, nous voici!"
And just as I was delighted and moved to honor the American veterans of WWII, the "greatest generation," on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, I am honored and moved by the celebration organized this year to celebrate the Marquis de Lafayette and, through him, the strong and enduring friendship between France and America. Long live the French-American friendship!
Jean-David Levitte
Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis - 2007
Embassy of France in the United States
Dear Friends,
The United States and France have a long common history, the history of a strong and passionate friendship between two countries that, from the start, shared the same ideals and fought for the same values. Indeed, France was America's first ally, at the time of your war of Independence, and nobody embodies this alliance better than the Marquis de Lafayette, whom we celebrate in this year of the 250th anniversary of his birth.
Lafayette fell in love with the ideals of the American Revolution when he was still a teenager, and didn't wait long to live out his passion. When he was not yet 20 years old, he sailed to America on a ship he had paid for with his own money and offered to fight in the American army, stating, "It is in these times of danger that I want to share your destiny." He took part in numerous battles led by George Washington, lobbied the French king to send a large military expedition to help the American troops, and throughout his entire life remained faithful to his love for America, to which he returned for a triumphal visit in 1824-1825.
Lafayette's bravery, passion and sense of history were extraordinary. And he was not alone--many other young French officers fought in the Revolutionary War alongside the American troops. The spirit he embodied, a spirit of friendship and of the strong alliance between France and the United States, didn't end with him. On the contrary, it inspired a unique relationship between the two countries, which have never been at war with one another and would repeatedly support each other in times of danger.
It is no surprise, then, that when American soldiers came to rescue France twice in the last century, during the two World Wars, they came with the words: "Lafayette, nous voici!"
And just as I was delighted and moved to honor the American veterans of WWII, the "greatest generation," on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of D-Day, I am honored and moved by the celebration organized this year to celebrate the Marquis de Lafayette and, through him, the strong and enduring friendship between France and America. Long live the French-American friendship!
Jean-David Levitte
Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis - 2007
Embassy of France in the United States