09/06/2026
On this day in history in 1757 American Founding Father, the Marquis de Lafayette was born.
Born into a wealthy French family, Lafayette was just 19 when he was inspired by the story of the American Revolution and traveled to Philadelphia to volunteer for the cause.
After Lafayette impressed General George Washington at a meeting in Philadelphia, Washington took him onto his staff as a major general. At the Battle of Brandywine the Americans lost, but Lafayette was heroic in defeat, holding his post even after being shot. Lafayette continued to rise up the ranks and played an important role in the Continental Army until it was decided that Lafayette could better serve the Revolution in another way.
In 1779 Lafayette was sent back to France where he helped to secure further French support. Lafayette eventually returned to America with 6,000 French soldiers who would eventually aid America during the Battle of Yorktown, the decisive victory for America in the Revolutionary War.
Read more about the Marquis de Lafayette in our blog:
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Pictured is Lafayette's portrait as it hangs in the Second Bank of the United States Portrait Gallery.
