In France, the name Lafayette is well known, but the man behind it – Gilbert du Motier de La Fayette – often fades into the background of the country’s rich historical tapestry. In the United States, however, the Marquis de Lafayette is remembered as a national hero. His legacy is honoured in museums, schools, and public monuments, largely because of his pivotal role –alongside France – in helping the American colonies secure independence from Britain.
Inspired by the ideals of the Enlightenment, Lafayette was celebrated for his courage and his unwavering commitment to liberty. His fight for freedom left a lasting mark not only on the US but also on the political landscape of Europe during the transformative years at the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century.
In 1824, four decades after his first journey to America, Lafayette returned for a grand tour. Welcomed as the “guest of the nation”, he visited all 24 states over a span of 13 months, receiving an outpouring of admiration and gratitude. In 2002, the United States posthumously granted him Honorary Citizenship – a rare distinction shared by only five others in the country’s history.
English (US) · 