This year marks the 200th anniversary of the great generals visit to the U.S. Celebrate his day, and learn more about this American hero throughout the year.
Lafayette Day – celebrated each year on March 14 in Virginia – commemorates this day in 1781, when Major General Marquis de Lafayette landed at Yorktown to launch his campaign against the British General Cornwallis. This campaign would end the Revolutionary War six months later.
This year’s celebration is particularly special, however. Lafayette was just 23-years-old in 1781. Following the war, he returned to France, not to return to the United States until 1824 when President James Monroe invited him to tour the 24 states in the young union.
This tour took Lafayette to Fredericksburg in November of 1824, where he was feted in the city with a festive celebration and a grand ball in honor of “America’s Guest.”
To commemorate the 200th anniversary of his visit to Fredericksburg, a series of lectures – free and open to the public – are available throughout the year. The first occurred on March 1; the next – titled “Founding Friends: James Monroe and the Marquis de Lafayette” – is scheduled on April 4 at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library.
To learn more about the events throughout the year, culminating in a re-creation of the grand ball, visit the brochure highlighting the lecture series. You can also learn more by visiting the page dedicated to the event at the Fredericksburg city website.
