The American Friends of Lafayette

08/26/2026

August 26 1789 | 🇫🇷 Declaration of the Rights of Man

In 1789, France declared rights for "Man" but what about the ladies? 📜

On August 26, the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man, a cornerstone of modern democracy.

Inspired by Enlightenment philosophers, the declaration was a core statement of the values of the French Revolution and had a significant impact on the development of popular conceptions of individual liberty and democracy in Europe and worldwide.

The declaration was initially drafted by Marquis de Lafayette with assistance from Thomas Jefferson, but the majority of the final draft came from Abbé Sieyès.

Influenced by the doctrine of natural right, human rights are held to be universal: valid at all times and in every place. It became the basis for a nation of free individuals protected equally by the law. It is included at the beginning of the constitutions of both the French Fourth Republic (1946) and French Fifth Republic (1958) and is considered valid as constitutional law.

08/26/2026

in 1789, France adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen — a landmark document of the French Revolution that affirmed natural rights and popular sovereignty. Today, it stands as a global symbol of liberty, freedom, and democracy.

When the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen was issued in 1789, it didn’t include women.

That omission inspired Olympe de Gouges to publish the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen in 1791 — a bold call for gender equality that makes her an early feminist icon, especially celebrated on .

: It was shaped by the . Marquis de Lafayette — one of its key authors — consulted Thomas Jefferson, drawing inspiration from the 🇺🇸 Declaration of Independence.

🇫🇷🇺🇸 Two revolutions, one shared pursuit of rights.

08/26/2026

“No Lafayette will appear to us today, but the story of his last service to America still offers timely reminders to its citizens,” writes Ryan Cole. “Our rights must be exercised lest they atrophy.”

The Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824. His tour carries key lessons for a country still fighting over how to remember its past.

08/25/2026

Two years ago and 202 years ago, Lafayette brought the crowds out in Boston.

08/25/2026

Lafayette visited Boston from August 25 to September 2, 1824. Over 100,000 people greeted Lafayette when he arrived in Boston. Lafayette visited Harvard University, the Charlestown Navy Yard, the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the site of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. He also watched a mock Revolutionary War battle on the Boston Common. Bostonians hosted numerous dinners and parties in his honor. Lafayette also visited former US President John Adams in nearby Quincy.

08/25/2026

Lafayette visited Boston from August 25 to September 2, 1824. Over 100,000 people greeted Lafayette when he arrived in Boston. Lafayette visited Harvard University, the Charlestown Navy Yard, the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the site of the Battle of Lexington and Concord. He also watched a mock Revolutionary War battle on the Boston Common. Bostonians hosted numerous dinners and parties in his honor. Lafayette also visited former US President John Adams in nearby Quincy.

After he left Boston in September 1824, Lafayette continued his grand tour of the US. He travelled over 5,000 miles before returning to Boston in June 1825. On this visit, Lafayette helped lay the cornerstone for the future Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown, Massachusetts, near Boston.

This large ceremony on June 17, 1825, marked the 50th anniversary of the famous battle and was attended by 200,000 people. Lafayette addressed the crowd: “Bunker Hill is the holy resistance to oppression, which has already disenthralled the American hemisphere, and the anniversary toast at the jubilee of the next half-century will be to Europe, freed.

08/25/2026

Three-Day Celebration Brings Revolutionary History to Life in Morristown

The three-day schedule includes:

Friday, Sept. 25: Revolutionary History Trivia Night

Living History Weekend kicks off with Revolutionary History Trivia Night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Glenbrook Brewery. Participants can test their knowledge of the American Revolution and Morris County history while enjoying an evening in downtown Morristown.

Saturday, Sept. 26: Living History Comes to Morristown

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Morristown Green will become a Revolutionary-era gathering place featuring reenactors, historic figures and demonstrations. Activities will include a militia, 18th-century medical and weaponry exhibits and a silhouette artist.

At the same time, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., historic organizations throughout Morristown will offer special programs, exhibits, talks and tours.

Sansay House: The American Friends of Lafayette will share the story and legacy of the Marquis de Lafayette.

Sunday, Sept. 27: History Corridor at Festival on the Green

Living History Weekend concludes Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. during the Morristown Partnership’s annual Festival on the Green.

Learn more https://www.morriscountynj.gov/Morris-County-News/Morris-Countys-Living-History-Weekend-Set-for-Sept.-25-27

08/25/2026

August 25, 2024 | ONE Grand Day in Rhode Island

Lafayette made his grand entry at the arbor, with the children, dressed in white, strewing flower petals along his path. Lafayette then reviewed the troops and gave a brief talk before retiring to the courtyard where he greeted guests and entertained questions for about an hour.

Those who went into the house got to view Lafayette’s rapier (a type of sword).

The afternoon session, recreating Lafayette's visit to Providence, began with a military procession led by a dozen Boy Scouts of the Order of the Arrow, bearing flags.

After the national anthems, the scouts posted the colors and all the units withdrew to their places. Mayor DaSilva read a proclamation from the city of East Providence, followed by a reading of the proclamation from the mayor of Providence. Lafayette then greeted Captain Stephen Olney interpreted by his descendant, Stephen Olney Almy. Stephen Olney was a captain of a company in the Rhode Island Regiment under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette. Stephen Olney’s and Alexander Hamilton’s troops served under Lafayette at Yorktown and captured Redoubt #10. When Lafayette arrived in Providence, he immediately recognized Stephen Olney and embraced him, bringing tears to the eyes of everyone in attendance.

There were two speeches given during the dinner honoring Lafayette. One was given by Col. Carlisle and Tristam Burges.

The invitation of Newport requesting Lafayette to visit was read and an account of how General Lafayette used his influence to help a young man escape from prison was given. The session ended with Lafayette reviewing the troops. He stopped to speak to each of the 3 black soldiers and the young boy in the regiment. The scouts then retired the colors.

Many thanks to all those who helped make this day a success:
Elizabeth Sulock for the John Brown House
Bob DaSilva, Mayor of East Providence, Rhode Island
Music by La Capricieuse

Photos taken by Kathy Becker, Alan Van Wert, Elizabeth Sulock, Kiley Knott, Chuck Schwam and Lexington 250.

08/24/2026

French sails crowd the horizon off Newport in August 1778, promising the young alliance its first real fight together.

A young Marquis de Lafayette, barely twenty one, is rushed north to calm a crisis that could have wrecked the alliance.

A year later d'Estaing sails for Savannah, Georgia, determined to make good on Newport's broken promise.

His guns pound the town for days, and much of what falls lands on frightened civilians rather than soldiers.

On the foggy morning of October 9, 1779, French and American columns lose their bearings in a swamp before reaching the British lines.

The Polish cavalryman Casimir Pulaski leads a desperate charge through a gap in the defenses and falls, mortally struck by grapeshot.

D'Estaing is wounded twice himself, and when the smoke clears the allies have lost more than eight hundred men against roughly forty British dead.

French sails crowd the horizon off Newport in August 1778, promising the young alliance its first real fight together.

Admiral Charles Henri d'Estaing's fleet and General John Sullivan's ten thousand Americans plan to crush the British garrison in one blow.

For two tense days the French and British fleets maneuver without firing a decisive shot.

Then a hurricane roars up the coast and tears into both fleets before the battle can even begin.

D'Estaing's battered ships limp off to Boston for repairs, leaving Sullivan's soldiers alone outside Newport's walls.

Furious Americans call the French departure a desertion, and anger boils over into a deadly riot against French sailors in Boston.

A young Marquis de Lafayette, barely twenty one, is rushed north to calm a crisis that could have wrecked the alliance.

A year later d'Estaing sails for Savannah, Georgia, determined to make good on Newport's broken promise.

His guns pound the town for days, and much of what falls lands on frightened civilians rather than soldiers.

On the foggy morning of October 9, 1779, French and American columns lose their bearings in a swamp before reaching the British lines.

The Polish cavalryman Casimir Pulaski leads a desperate charge through a gap in the defenses and falls, mortally struck by grapeshot.

D'Estaing is wounded twice himself, and when the smoke clears the allies have lost more than eight hundred men against roughly forty British dead.

08/24/2026

August 24, 2024 | Lafayette arrived in Boston 🇺🇸🇫🇷