Changing of the American Flag Over Lafayette's Tomb, Paris, July 4 - France Revisited

[@jeanleon1637]

Lafayette, a true American/French hero. God Bless that man and everything he did for us.

[@matvangogh]

agreed. we wouldnt have this country without his assistance

[@wordforger]

Our infant country's very first friend.

[@girlbossgatekeep4821]

@The Tide Pod y e s

[@obvers]

Un grand merci sans lui pas USA, bisous.

[@Dalhan99]

We shall never forget Monsieur Lafayette.

[@filgoudebzh4190]

+Charles Beach Merci ;) Peace from France

[@darkangelplays3330]

From an american thank you Lafayette for helping president Washington liberate us

[@anthonyd55]

LONG LIVE LAFAYETTE

[@obvers]

Un grand merci sans lui pas USA , bisous.

[@Southernjuggalo63]

in the name of americans i would like to thank france for all its support at the beginning of my country im am not a american that doesnt know history and without a very famous frenchman named MARQUIS DE LAFAYETTE without men like him that loved freedom so much he would leave his home country to fight for a cause in a far away land we wouldnt have the country i live in today i think we always show our support for one another whenever it is needed AMERICA & FRANCE FRIENDS FOREVER!

[@estebanod]

🙏

[@obvers]

Un grand merci sans lui pas USA, bisous.

[@bjradrian3983]

We had no friends. The Marquis was our first friend.

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

Amen!

[@detiforoowa]

In memory of our favorite fighting French man.

[@moirastewart280]

I appreciate it :)

[@basicallylaurenn]

Gilbert du Motier Marquis de La Fayette BRUH YOU ARE EVERYWHERE

[@moirastewart280]

@@basicallylaurenn what do you expect. Je suis led Français de combat préférés de l'Amérique.

[@idiotburner5616]

**proceeds to say something really fast**

[@Powerhaus88]

Stop with that stupid fucking song.

[@jonathanhandy6504]

Thank you Lafayette, thank you France 🇫🇷🇺🇲🇫🇷🇺🇲🇫🇷🇺🇲

[@AS-zk6hz]

I went to Lafayette school in Chicago. He was a great aid to Washington. A hero of the revolutionary war. We shall never forget him. Thank you France

[@obvers]

Un merci sans lui pas USA bisous

[@riverice7]

Lafayette a great man. I’m glad America found the courage to fight in World War 2 and defend freedom in Lafayette’s land.

[@jimreilly917]

Umm…WWI also

[@michaelmiller2145]

Indeed america joined both wars during the latter ends of both, america joined out of fear that if Britain collapsed the the U.S would be next. It was brits who faught for freedom including that of slavery across the globe I might add. Brits that made America!! Its culture, language, government. Brits who now spill blood with america in Afghanistan my son saw No french dying !! Or serving during 2 tours my son however did bleed serving with american troops during a hellish fight for life !! A Brit !! He gave all for his American cousins. How many french have done that recently.

[@Powerhaus88]

@@michaelmiller2145 Latter ends? In WWII the US was in the fight from 41 to 45, and even before that sent massive amounts of aid to the Brits. The only thing that kept the Brits in the fight was the fact that you're an island nation, the at the time large Navy, and US supplies, if the British Isles were a part of mainland western Europe then you would've been overrun just like French.

[@graceskerp]

@@jimreilly917 "Lafayette, we are here", General John Pershing.

[@WorldwideWyatt]

Rest In Peace Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. A man so in love with Freedom that he fought for it twice.

[@Ihuicatl]

Truly he was the soldier of two worlds

[@obvers]

Merci pour Le Héros des deux Mondes, sans lui pas USA bisous

[@firebird_spleen4190]

What a courageous, selfless, soldier. Forever thankful from America. 🇺🇸

[@BrianPatronie]

Okay, that is something I would like to respectfully witness. I`m an American that historically followed Lafayette's time here in America to include the early negotiations with the CA and his involvement in the Southern Campaign...I`d love to visit...

[@sanitarycockroach9038]

Ah, our beloved son, may we never forget you and your unwavering deication to personal liberty and love of country. I can only hope our fellow parent France feels the same. Lafayette, we are still here, and may we always be. -An American

[@kevin.whouse2269]

A great hero of the revolution Of all the Frenchman that helped America become a nation Lafayette is a true hero of our nation and for that reason my grandpa and his brother joined the armed forces to take back France from Germany. My grandpa's brother lost his life on D-plus 3. In my grandpa's diary he talked about Lafayette and how he helped the colonys become a nation and on that my grandpa and his brother decided to help take back France for the French people. My grandpa loved Lafayette for his love for our people. We the American people owe the French people our deepest thanks and so my grandpa and is brother both had to go and stop the German onslaught and take back our most loved country France for Lafayette god rest his soul. Viva la France

[@amandanies3174]

Thank you for posting this. It's wonderful to see that, even though it's been a couple centuries since his passing, the Marquis still receives the honor and respect he deserves. Lafayette is truly a hero of two worlds. Lafayette, we thank you not just for your service to your beloved country, but to America. We thank you for your friendship and your courage. Lafayette, we are here.

[@lindahurley8864]

Nicely written!

[@boonliew4420]

Lafayette destined to be true patriot to both France and America 🙏

[@tsangarisjohn]

🇺🇸🇫🇷 We thank you General Lafayette !!!

[@michaelfitzgerald434]

So many places in America named for him. I had no idea this ceremony was held annually. It is quite fitting!

[@kevingouldrup9265]

Washington loved him as he would a son.

[@Niteowlette]

Beautiful ceremony. Vive la France!

[@munshine101st]

True American Patriot, and French hero. Never will forget, his bravery and sacrifice. Rest In Peace, General Lafayette...Salute!

[@FROZTYBAEEEEE]

Laf we never forget you and we'll remember you till the world explodes. Musicals, history books and social media have kept your legacy alive and may your spirit stay with us all

[@davididiart5934]

Lafayette! We are here!

[@SlimRhyno]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I am only now starting to truly appreciate what he, along with his wife, Adrienne, sacrificed in order that we - people they would never know - might benefit. Again, thank you, and please be well 🙏

[@obvers]

Un grand Merci pour lui sans lui pas USA bisous

[@drpepperrocks1951]

Thank you Lafayette!

[@jolene9756]

you will never be forgotten, general/monsieur Lafayette. you will always be a hero to America. you are my favorite fighting french man.

[@themagicminstrels476]

The US and France will always be brothers!

[@augustinecerronejr7968]

God Bless the Marquis de Lafayette.💪🇺🇲✌

[@deanfirnatine7814]

Rest in Peace Sir. Thank you.

[@moniqueneagle7091]

Merci pour cet hommage en faveur de cet illustre personnage qu'était Le Marquis de Lafayette.

[@julioaranton461]

Merci Beaucoup Marquis de Lafayette!🙏⚘

[@chariotreign]

Lafayette is still Our friend America. His Spirit is Still with US. :)

[@Noplayster13]

This man was a true hero in every sense of the word. Glory to him forever.

[@dannyreyna2821]

Happy 4th of July General Marquis Lafayette.⚘🇺🇸⚘

[@james8156]

Never forget the sacrifice that Lafayette has done❤️❤️❤️

[@NightBloomthedog]

Lafayette was a hero in the American revolution without him we may have lost thank you Lafayette for everything you did

[@Jubilo1]

Thank you for posting this . It is well that an American general receives such honors.

[@tetatoto23]

Are you sure he was American?

[@Jubilo1]

@@tetatoto23 Honorary , yes?

[@cochinaable]

@@tetatoto23 he is more American than most Americans today.

[@WorldwideWyatt]

@@tetatoto23 he was in fact an American.

[@alvinjames470]

The man of 2 Nations. An American and French man at heart.

[@waltking9141]

Let's give it up for America's favorite fighting Frenchman!!!!😀😀🇺🇸🇺🇸🇫🇷🇫🇷

[@darkangelplays3330]

Lafayette!

[@msg238]

I just visited the other day. A very moving site for Americans.

[@USHomeboy]

Awesome video, i love my Flags ! France & USA for always free and together for ever and ever! May God Bless my both Countrys!

[@carolyncuskey5720]

Thanks for this wonderful presentation of the ceremony. Excellent job!

[@godssara2673]

God Bless you Lafayette. Thank you

[@goodoldfashionedlovergirl4556]

Am I crying because Lafayette was such a hero. Maybe. OK YES I AM

[@tennesseeridgerunner5992]

VIVE LA FRANCE!!

[@MarquisdeLafayett]

thanks for the video , i'll have to stop by and pay my respects the next time i'm in france .

[@titicoqui]

i love this hero

[@frenchartantiquesparis424]

Great video- thank you for making it.

[@etiennekosa]

This video is so cool. Lafayette is such a great symbol for the Franco American alliance. Our friendship has had its peaks and valleys yet remains strong. Lafayette we are here!

[@FranceRevisited]

@jsmcguireIII Thanks for watching. The DAR are involved but I don't know about the SAR. Best to contact them directly.

[@DanielR-lk1vg]

This man was such a badass legend

[@Lanegirl902]

We Americans will never forget the Marquis de Lafayette.

[@lynnbeck6877]

I hand idea about this ceremony. . Thank you for sharing

[@jordanzell1]

Great travel report. Never knew about that. Makes me want to go there on my next trip to Paris.

[@cochinaable]

There and Jim Morrison's tomb as well....

[@melchiorvulpius4799]

How many American counties, towns, and schools have been named for Lafayette? Many, but not enough.

[@commissaryarrick9670]

Too many to even count honestly

[@josephogrodnik4792]

So many great people fought for our freedom, and so many died for it. Now, there are just as many people trying to destroy the country that brave men such as Lafayette fought for. What a shame.

[@kevinbautsch]

God Bless Marquis de Lafayette. Arguably General Washington's greatest General. A true hero of the American Revolution.

[@faith4disney]

Great editing! I love the sound effects.

[@bobapbob5812]

Lafayette, nous voila. General Pershing.

[@jerryp5710]

Our Marquis!

[@AnimatingGoatGirl]

FREEDOM FOR AMERICA, A FREEDOM FOR FRANCE

[@qinqu1904]

GOTTA START A NEW NATION GOTTA MEET MY SON

[@FranceRevisited]

@oldfrend Thanks for watching. It is indeed a unique and uniquely significant ceremony. The four men you mention were all fascinating figures.

[@stephenbaker2101]

During the German Occupation of Paris in WW2, the flag remained. Not even the Nazis would touch it.

[@kvltizt]

@@TrueLeft-n6j Nazis are awful and so are communists and especially Stalinists. One does not alleviate or excuse the other.

[@willdaberby7908]

History fact : no Hitler no Nazis no WW2.

[@mindeloman]

Not sure about the history of lafayette's grave during WWII occupation. I do know there was great apprehension by the French, British, and Americans with respect to their WWI war cemeteries. The British especially feared some sort of desecration of their war dead's graves. They had several hundred thousand buried in France from WWI. Hitler, the scourge of the 20th century, was also a WWI soldier. Not a single allied WWI grave or monument was harmed or desecrated during the German occupation of France. That order came from the TOP.

[@CaribbeanHistory]

@@mindeloman we could probably go further, I don’t remember where I read it but it said that when the British began bombing Berlin in WW2, Hitler ordered that the grave of Frederick the Great be moved to avoid possible damage

[@prind142]

@@mindeloman Good or evil, most soldiers respect the fallen. Even if they had been ordered to desecrate the graves there would have been complaints from both enlisted and officers on principle alone.

[@mebn7]

Muchas gracias !

[@viewlesswind]

Thank you, General Lafayette.

[@larchange1657]

Merci pour avoir posté cette vidéo ....

[@kc1776]

Thank you for posting this

[@yahulwagoni4571]

I didn't know about this. I fear most Americans don't. We need to do better.

[@jgdooley2003]

History has been downgraded in schools in Ireland in that the subject is now optional at secondary (high School) level and combined with Geography as one subject. Not many students now take the subject as it is considered "useless" for job seeking purposes. This is a big mistake in that an informed voter is essential to maintaining a democracy in any land. Know your history so as to avoid the mistakes of the past. Know all sides of it.

[@amysmith4779]

America's hero

[@malory6312]

Fun Fact: Lafayette is buried with some dirt from Bunker Hill (I think after the Battle of Bunker Hill he grabbed some dirt).

[@thomasgalyen6757]

Lafayette was not present at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He may have taken some dirt on a later visit or when he visited the US years later, or perhaps the dirt is from some battlefield where he did fight like Yorktown. But he was still in France when the Battle of Bunker Hill was fought.

[@thomasgalyen6757]

Another “fun fact”: when American troops arrived to fight in WWI some of the officers went to Lafayette’s tomb, speeches were made and Colonel Charles E. Stanton said the immortal phrase “Lafayette, nous voilà" (Lafayette, we are here). Acknowledging our debt to France and especially to Lafayette for their aid during our Revolution. It has been erroneously attributed to General Pershing, but he corrected it to Col. Stanton.

[@s4bombshell]

Lafayette and his son Georges Washington went on a tour of all (at the time) 24 United States 50 years after the Revolutionary War and that is when Lafayette acquired the soil to use for his burial site. It was his son who scattered the soil over the grave at the time of burial. If you ever have the time to read the Wikipedia entry about that tour it’s fascinating. He was welcomed back like the hero he is, with numerous fetes, parades, balls, galas, dedications, ceremonies, etc. Many states granted Lafayette citizenship (federal citizenship would follow posthumously many years later, 2002 I believe) and the federal government paid him $200,000 for his past service to the military. An immense amount of money for the time. He even had a touching reunion with Jefferson during the tour.

[@micjam1986]

Washington said that "We should not take help from any country as we fight for our independance for they will want a piece of our country... except for Lafayette. He is governed by a different set of principles" lafayette gave so much of his own money to help fund the war for our independance that at the time of his death, over 50 yrs later, we still had not paid him back in full. Im happy to say a family member was there at Bunker hill working as a millwright with lafayette to set the cornerstone of the bunker hill monument in 1823(i think) Dirt from bunker hill has been layed on his grave in France. I live in NH and hiked mount Lafayette and thanked God above for providing us with this man of noble character.

[@s4bombshell]

We hadn’t paid the debt in full only because that kind of debt can never be repaid. But 50 years after the Revolutionary War Lafayette in fact did travel to the US for a tour of all 24 United States of that time and was paid $200,000 backpay for his service and was received everywhere like the hero he is. There was every kind of social gathering to honor him, he was granted citizenship to several states (and many years later posthumously granted full US citizenship in 2002, I believe), he had a touching reunion with Jefferson, visited Washington’s grave, and more. His son Georges Washington accompanied him and the tour was well over a year long. It was on this tour that he acquired the soil from a Revolutionary War battlefield that his son would eventually spread across Lafayette’s own grave once he passed.

[@micjam1986]

@@s4bombshell oh no.. not correct!!! Lafayette gave so much of his own money to fund our war of independence that our broke country couldn't repay him. It wasn't his back pay for service at all.. it was to pay back his loaned money.

[@s4bombshell]

@@micjam1986 I agree that we could never repay him. I could be mistaken about what the money was intended for. Whether it was for his service or the funds he himself paid while in service, I think we can all agree he never did receive what he was owed but $200,000 is quite a lot of money for the 1820s

[@micjam1986]

He was helping to fund our payroll to the soldiers in order to keep them active. Think about that.. not about his backpack for services..so different and not even close to reality.

[@s4bombshell]

@@micjam1986 not really sure what you’re looking for here. Do you need someone to tell you that you’re right?

[@redtomcat1725]

I am pleased to learn of this!!

[@kareno7848]

What a gallant gentleman!

[@songology]

Clear and concise, and put together nicely. Just wish I was more interested in the subject! How about a video on French food and wine? (ha ha, you now know its me, gary)

[@MB-us9eq]

The man the myth the legend!

[@rospencer611]

USA Remembers and Honors our Friends and Allies from France. “Vive la France”, “Vive la liberté” Our Eternal Thanks to Marquis de Lafayette

[@jimreilly917]

LaFayette we are here…Pershing’s deputy after US forces began to land in France in 1917 during WWI.

[@jsmcguireIII]

Can you tell me if Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) are involved in the commemorations at Picpus? Thanks for posting these images.

[@albert12722]

Lafayette is my favorite French american hero. I am.Filipino but i read american history

[@PISQUEFrancis]

SHOULDN'T there be some American flags that Lafayette fought under in the tomb? That is flags from the same time period.

[@FranceRevisited]

The 50-star spangled banner is placed at the tomb because it's contemporary America that honors the tomb of Lafayette. Similarly, 50-star flags officially fly at American World War I and II cemeteries rather than the 48-star flag that the soldiers at the time would have known.

[@McCarthy1776]

One of the greatest men in history

[@daryllamonaco3102]

Thank you for this video it was very informative and interesting. I would like see a seated US president attend this remarkable and sincere ceremony

[@DentalTroll]

C'est bon. Merci!

[@MAHU_music]

Everyone give it up for America's favorite fighting frenchman!!!

[@sorrynotsorry6]

LAFAYETTE!

[@sorrynotsorry6]

@A Wierdo- LAFAYETTE!

[@ashleyleene9810]

@FeELs- *LAFAYETTE*

[@qinqu1904]

@FeELs- LAFAYETTE

[@sorrynotsorry6]

@@qinqu1904 I GO TO FRANCE FOR MORE FUNDS!

[@MrPapermechanic]

The guillotine was placed in place de la Concorde (named place de la revolution back then) not place du throne.

[@FranceRevisited]

There were more than one guillotine, and a guillotine could be dismantled and moved. There were, I believe, 5 different guillotine sites in Paris between 1792 and 1795. While many the most famous heads (Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Danton, Robbespierre) were cut off at Place de la Révolution (formerly Place Louis XV, later Place de la Concorde), about half of the executionsby guillotine in Paris during that time were carried out on Place du Trône-Renversé (formerly Place du Trône, later Place de la Nation), which is near Picpus Cemetery. Hence the mass grave near the square... and eventually Lafayette.

[@MrPapermechanic]

Very interesting in popular image it is almost always presented as being one guillotine that represented during the terror the equality in death equivalent to the ideal of equality before the law. Thanks for the info I m curious to find out where were the other public execution place.

[@rmode668]

Love this

[@Pyr01]

i was lucky enough to visit his grave

[@bigbenthewomanrespecter5022]

L’heroes de deux mondes! Le héros de notre mondes!

[@DHenry-e1m]

Why don't you say WHAT YEAR??

[@randyentwistle2254]

The French hate Lafayette he was a celebrity a war hero a true national treasure who had he never came to the aid of the American cause there would be no French American friendship and the colonies would have surely lost to the British. The French will say why do we need a bust of Lafayette and to this i say for the debt (enormous & unattainable) we owe. I live in Lafayette California named after the marquis de Lafayette like many other places in America. We owe him our gratitude

[@justsceptic3085]

french hate lafayette?

[@DavBlc7]

@@justsceptic3085 Only hardline republicans hate him cos of links with the monarchy and for the massacre at Champs de Mars. that's why.

[@jesseusgrantcanales]

_"Lafayette, we are here!"_ - Colonel Charles Stanton, USA; WWI

[@pink_alligator]

This feels... so oddly sweet?

[@gerrytyrrell1507]

Could have done with him in Ireland A brilliant soldier...viva le france

[@gbm6882]

a wi wi j’mapelle lafayette the lancelot of the revolutionary set

[@DonutMaster110]

*Oui Oui mon ami Je m’appelle La Fayette, the Lancelot of the revolutionary set.

[@obvers]

L'humanité a gagné sa bataille. La liberté a désormais un pays. » « Quand le gouvernement viole les droits du peuple, l'insurrection est, pour le peuple et pour chaque fraction du peuple, le plus sacré des droits et le plus indispensable des devoirs. » Citation du marquis de Lafayette

[@danreed7889]

Can anyone attend this?

[@FranceRevisited]

It's not open to the general public but if you have a connection (or can make a connection) with one of the participating organizations you may be able to get invited. They're noted in the article that's linked from the video description.

[@Ihuicatl]

The General of Two Worlds.

[@dr.sweetchat6769]

I don't care what anyone says, he's a Founding Father.

[@austinperez9408]

The French are and were the United State's first friends - not all of us are hyper-nationalist memes with zero historical culture or real understanding of just what made us.

[@rolo6932]

I would prefer a video!

[@bonniemagpie5166]

Can you imagine if The English scored The American lands, it would be a country like Australia. They'd have a Governor General to represent The Queen. Shame The Austrian's got Lafayette for five years. Wonder how he was treated during that time.