Celebrate bicentennial of Lafayette’s triumphant return to the US

​BY W. ROBERT KELLY, JR. GUEST COLUMNIST
As published in the Suffolk News Herald​

On Feb. 24, 2015, the Virginia General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 797, “Designating March 14, in 2015, and in each succeeding year, as a Day of Honor for the Marquis de Lafayette in Virginia.” This year marks the 10th anniversary of Virginia Lafayette Day and it falls within
the Lafayette bicentennial, a nationwide series of more than 250 educational programs under the direction of the American Friends of Lafayette (AFL). Lafayette Day, March 14, will be commemorated with a wreath laying at 10 a.m. in the rotunda of the Virginia State Capitol, in front of Jean-Antoine Houdon’s Lafayette bust. All are welcome.

As vice president of the 1,500-member AFL I am often asked, “Why is commemorating the bicentennial of Lafayette’s return to America, as ‘guest of the nation, so important?”

This question may be answered by simply looking at the connections between what is taking place in our country today and the events of 1824-1825: in those days, the U.S. was in the throes of a contentious national presidential election won by John Quincy Adams. Our country was divided
and in turmoil.

At that time President James Monroe thought that if he invited Lafayette, the last surviving major general of the American Revolution, it might foster unity and renew patriotism among our citizens, especially as the nation approached the 50th anniversary of its independence.

Today in our nation, like 200 years ago, we persevered through a tough election and experienced a peaceful transition of power, yet we remain a divided country. We are approaching a milestone anniversary of independence — 250 years. We continue to debate the importance of
alliances, and still grapple with the meaning of “freedom and liberty for all.” We have come a long way, but we still have much work to do. Now more than ever, we need to know our history and teach our history — our full history.

Throughout his life, Lafayette strongly supported Enlightenment principles: human rights for all, religious freedom, Native American rights, equality for women and freedom of the press. He was a leading abolitionist of his time and always fought for liberty, equality and freedom. This great man’s legacy has also come to symbolize the 1778 alliance between France and the United States. This Franco-American alliance led directly to the victory at Yorktown. Our two countries have
remained at one another’s side for almost 250 years.

Lafayette’s final trip to America lasted from August 1824 to September 1825. He visited all the then 24 states and was the first foreign dignitary to address a joint session of Congress. Traveling an estimated 6,000 miles, he was hosted by countless cities and towns, and spent roughly two
months in Virginia, more time than any other state in the nation. Locally, he visited Norfolk, Portsmouth, Fort Monroe, Williamsburg, Yorktown, Richmond and Suffolk. Lafayette met with former Presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, and Presidents James Monroe and
John Quincy Adams.

To celebrate the bicentennial, the AFL has organized a 13-month, 24-state, 250-event commemoration. Educational programming began in New York in August and will continue through September. We have already brought history to life for tens of thousands of Americans through
reenactments, school outreach, traveling exhibits, bicentennial wine and beer and free public programs. That included events in Williamsburg and Yorktown, where the French Air & Space Force sent three airplanes and more than 50 personnel to provide ceremonial flyovers.

It was an amazing sight to see, feel, and hear. We have events planned throughout 2025 that will take place as far south as New Orleans, as far west as St. Louis, and as far north as Maine.

Now more than ever we need Lafayette, someone whose legacy and philosophy inspires us to be better — to be welcoming, inclusive, civil and to once again strive for equality and freedom for all people. These are the reasons that Lafayette and this bicentennial are important. It is my hope
that you will join us in Richmond on March 14.

Vive Lafayette! Vive La France! God bless America!

W. Robert Kelly, Jr. is the vice president of the American Friends of
Lafayette, director of the Gloucester Museum of History, president of the
Fort Monroe Historical Society, president of the Peninsula Museums
Forum, former Casemate Museum historian and a resident of Fort
Monroe. Learn more at Lafayette200.org.

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