The American Friends of Lafayette

09/07/2026

09/06/2026

This birthday cake was done by AFL member Augie Huber from Kansas City!

It looks too adorable to eat!

09/06/2026

The American National Anthem played at Chavaniac-Lafayette in France in honor of Lafayette’s birthday.

Thank you for the videos and photos. ❤️🇫🇷

09/06/2026

🎶 Happy birthday to me… Happy birthday to me…! 🎶 😂

Yes, that’s General Lafayette singing “Happy Birthday” to himself! 🎂🇫🇷🇺🇸

But there’s a pretty amazing story behind the birthday song.

On September 6, 1824, Lafayette turned 67 years old—and he was in the middle of his incredible Farewell Tour of America.

After arriving in New York just weeks earlier, Lafayette would spend the next 13 months traveling roughly 6,000 miles, visiting 24 states and being greeted everywhere like a rock star. 🎉

Parades. Cannon fire. Lavish dinners. Crowds of admirers. And apparently… a little birthday serenade. 😉

It was a remarkable homecoming for the young French volunteer who had first come to America nearly 50 years earlier to fight alongside the American Revolutionaries.

From Revolutionary War hero to 1824 birthday boy—Lafayette knew how to make an entrance. 🎂🥳

Thank you Micheal Halbert for the fond and lovely moments. We miss you. 💕

09/06/2026

Happy Birthday to our favorite Fighting Frenchman, the Lancelot of the Revolutionary set…. The Marquis de Lafayette.

“Oui oui, mon ami, je m’appelle Lafayette!
The Lancelot of the revolutionary set!
I came from afar just to say “Bonsoir!”
Tell the King “Casse toi!” Who’s the best?
C’est moi!” ~ Hamilton the Musical

Filmed by our sweet friend Marquis de Lafayette

Merci! 🇫🇷🥂

09/06/2026

Madam Caroline Monvoisin, Consul General to France in the US DC, casually on a French Submarine named in honor of Comte de Grasse

French Navy Suffren-class attack submarine FS De Grasse (S638) in Norfolk, Virginia - September 5, 2026 SRC: X-

Note- this is the unidentified French submarine coming in a couple of days ago. French and American officials gathered Saturday at Fort Story in Virginia Beach to mark the 245th anniversary of the Battle of the Capes, along with two other historically significant milestones.

The ceremony honored three intertwined occasions: the 245th anniversary of the Battle of the Capes, the 400th anniversary of the French Navy, and the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the Comte de Grasse statue at Fort Story.

09/06/2026

Happy Birthday Lafayette! 🎂🇫🇷🥂

From your favorite historians, authors, creators, social media communication teams, French Military Officers, Non-Profit Directors, Reenactors, Interpreters, Researchers, Hamilton the Musicial fans, and Musicians.

A special thanks to everyone who helped make this collaboration possible.

09/06/2026

French and U.S. Navy officials honor 245th anniversary of the Battle of the Capes at Fort Story

The ceremony honored three intertwined occasions: the 245th anniversary of the Battle of the Capes, the 400th anniversary of the French Navy, and the 50th anniversary of the unveiling of the Comte de Grasse statue at Fort Story

The Battle of the Capes, fought on Sept. 5, 1781, was a turning point in the fight for American independence. The French fleet, commanded by Admiral de Grasse, prevented the British fleet from entering Chesapeake Bay and reaching British General Cornwallis at Yorktown. Six weeks later, Cornwallis surrendered to American and French allied forces at Yorktown, helping establish American independence.

Admiral Pierre Vandier, French Navy NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, described the occasion as a rare convergence of history.

"We celebrate a very unique alignment of planets, where we have the 400 years of the French Navy, the ceremony for the Battle of the Capes on the 5th of September 1781, and the 250th anniversary of the U.S.," Vandier said.

The ceremony also held deep personal meaning for Yorick de Guichen who traveled to Virginia Beach from France for the occasion. De Guichen is a descendant of a French Navy fleet admiral who fought alongside Admiral Comte de Grasse.

"There's a lot of significance and meaning for us and for all the generations to come. All the children who are seeing this event and I think, very proud of what we achieved together," de Guichen said.

Saturday's ceremony reinforced the message that American independence was not achieved alone.

The event also highlighted the continuing connection between France and Hampton Roads. Norfolk is home to NATO's Allied Command Transformation, the only NATO strategic command headquartered in North America, as well as NATO Joint Force Command Norfolk, where French and American service members continue to work together.

On the same day, the French Navy held a 400th anniversary celebration ceremony at Trocadéro in Paris, France, where the original statue of de Grasse is located.

https://www.wtkr.com