Lori Porter| Guest columnist
In 1777, a passionate young French aristocrat named Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, known as Marquis de Lafayette, set sail for America at just 19 years old.
Motivated by the revolutionary ideals of freedom and equality, he joined the Continental Army and quickly became a close ally of George Washington.
Despite his lack of initial pay and command, Lafayette's bravery and leadership shone through, as he rose to the rank of major general, even after being wounded at the nearby Battle of the Brandywine. Lafayette faced several other battles and skirmishes and was with Washington during the harsh winter of 1777-78 in Valley Forge.
Time and again Lafayette proved he was America’s best friend. He helped Washington when an internal threat to remove him from command was attempted by Conway Cabal. In 1779, he returned to France and was able to secure 6,000 French troops for the American cause. With Lafayette’s news of French support American morale greatly improved.
Lafayette's determination and strategic prowess culminated in 1781, when he played a crucial role in the Siege of Yorktown, leading to the British surrender and marking a pivotal moment in the American Revolutionary War, effectively ending the war.
After the Revolution, Lafayette returned to France where he continued to fight for liberty and equality for all mankind in the midst of the French Revolution. When he finally passed in 1834, his final wish was to be buried under soil taken from Bunker Hill.
For his involvement in both the American and French revolutions, he is remembered as “The Hero of the Two Worlds.”
'The Nation’s Guest,' 1824
Lafayette returned to America in 1824 at the request of then-President James Monroe. His past heroics earned him the title of “The Nation’s Guest” during his 1824 Farewell Tour, where he received an ecstatic welcome across the nation as it neared its 50th anniversary of independence.
The last surviving general of the American Revolution stuck a chord with the American public during his remarkable 13-month, 24-state tour. He represented liberty, equality and human rights – values deeply resonant with American citizens.
In Delaware, Lafayette's visit on Oct. 6, 1824, was met with tremendous enthusiasm. As reported that day in "The American Watchman,'' “The scene along the whole route was gratifying and exhilarating in the extreme. The crowd was immense. Wilmington and the neighboring country poured out their population.”
Locals honored him, particularly recognizing Delaware’s contributions during the revolution, and Lafayette even had the honor of giving away a bride at a wedding that evening!
Fast forward to today, and the legacy of Lafayette is being celebrated with theLafayette Bicentennial Tourfrom August 2024 to September 2025. The American Friends of Lafayette and various state committees are organizing events across the country, following the same route in the exact order Lafayette traveled in 1824-1825, including a special celebration in Delaware on Oct. 6, 2024.
The mission of the Lafayette Bicentennial Tour is to educate the public about the life and legacy of Lafayette, to celebrate our Franco-American alliance, and to enrich public knowledge through meaningful programming and remembrances.
Our goal is to reach everyone, from youth to senior, and inclusive of every cultural and ethnic background. Through these events, we continue his legacy, engaging communities in a way that connects our past to future aspirations.
Let’s come together to celebrate Lafayette’s contributions and reflect on the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity that he championed.
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Here's what to expect at four exciting locations in Delaware:
Delaware's Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration on Oct. 6
- Robinson House (11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Explore house tours, view educational exhibits, engage in children’s activities, watch wool spinning demonstrations, and witness a colonial war encampment.
- Brandywine Village (noon to 3 p.m.): Enjoy a Lafayette trail marker presentation, guest speakers, and entertainment.
- Old Town Hall (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Dance with English country dancers, join children’s games, view educational exhibits, enjoy French treats, attend a 3 p.m. performance by Williamsburg’s James Armistead Lafayette.
- Amstel House (4 p.m. to 6 p.m.): Savor a French-style wine reception, delicious charcuterie, and enjoy live music (sold out; waitlist available at battellandreaddar.org).
For more details, visitlafayette200.orgor join our Lafayette Bicentennial – Delaware Facebook page.
Vive Lafayette!
Lori Porter is chair, Lafayette Bicentennial Committee Delaware.
