the marquis de Layfayette's 1824 farewell tour of america

The Marquis de Lafayette was called the “Hero of Two Worlds” for his critical roles in both the American and French revolutions. In 1824, the 50th anniversary of our nation’s founding was nearing, and President Monroe invited Lafayette to revisit America for a “Farewell Tour.” Monroe’s hope was that his presence would help to “instill the Spirit of 1776” in a new generation. Over 14 months, Lafayette visited all 24 states, where he was hailed as a hero of democracy and a torchbearer of American values.

In this presentation and discussion, Roger Mummert will examine how Lafayette was promoted to mythical status by the burgeoning American newspaper industry, against the backdrop of a disputed presidential election that tested American values. He also look sat how Lafayette’s outspoken support for the abolition of slavery challenged Americans to continue to work toward “a more perfect union.”

Presenter Roger Mummert is the creator of theparisproject.net, which explores the history of Paris as a city of ideas. His presentations with the Alliance Française include “Paris: A City of Ideas” and “Myths and Mysteries of the Bastille.” He recently presented “D-Day and the Soul of France” at the Embassy of France in the United States. These programs can be viewed on You Tube. His writing on culture, literature and travel can be found in the archives of the New York Times and elsewhere.

Join Roger Mummert and the Alliance Française on August 27 at 12:00pm Pacific Time.

This talk on Zoom is free for all Alliance Française members. The event is presented in partnership with  the Fédération of Alliances Françaises.