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| Two years from now in 2024, we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s historic visit to the United States with his son, George Washington Motier de Lafayette. He came at the invitation of President James Monroe, our fifth president. Nicknamed the “National Guest,” he visited all 24 states in the union, some more than once, from July 1824–September 1825. All in all, he travelled over 6,000 miles. This epic series of events took place almost fifty years after the start of the American Revolution. Celebrations of his arrival were some of the largest and most amazing ever held in America. Massive cheering crowds greeted Lafayette, and countless lavish banquets followed. For example, six-thousand ladies and gentlemen attended just one ball in New York City. In Boston, three-thousand children lined up to receive him, all wearing ribbons stamped with his miniature likeness. Many monuments were erected in his honor across the country. In addition, many parks, streets, cities and counties named themselves for him, including Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. Voila, Dolley Madison and Lafayette, two of my favorite historical figures, become intertwined! She wrote this poem as a tribute to him on his November 1824 sojurn to Montpelier. This took place right after his visit with Thomas Jefferson at Monticello. |
| LAFAYETTE by Dolley Madison Born, nurtured, wedded, prized, within the pale Of peers and princes, high in camp–at court– He hears, in joyous youth, a wild report, Swelling the murmurs of the Western gale, Of a young people struggling to be free! Straight quitting all, across the wave he flies, Aids with his sword, wealth, blood, the high emprize! And shares the glories of its victory. Then comes for fifty years a high romance Of toils, reverses, sufferings, in the cause Of man and justice, liberty and France, Crowned, at the last, with hope and wide applause. Champion of Freedom! Well thy race was run! All time shall hail thee, Europe’s noblest son! |
| If you would like to learn more, please feel free to reach out and schedule a historical talk on “Lafayette, Hero of Two Worlds.” |