WORCESTER – The City of Worcester celebrates the Lafayette’s visit to Worcester on Tuesday, September 3, the same day he visited the city 200 years ago.
Marquis de La Fayette. a French nobleman and military officer, volunteered to join the Continental Army of George Washington and participated in several battles, including the Battle of Rhode Island. In 1781, he led troops into battle as a commander at the Siege of Yorktown, the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.
Layfayette’s son, born in December 1779, was named Georges Washington Lafayette.
Lafayette returned to America for the first time in 1784 and 1785. During that trip he addressed the Virginia House of Delegates, where he called for emancipation of slaves.
He also played an important role in the French Revolution, including writing the first draft of the “Declaration of the RIghts of Man and of the Citizen.”
In 1824, then President James Monroe invited Lafayette to the United States. A four month trip extended to 16 months. He visited all 24 states and met with all the living U.S. presidents at the time: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, and Monroe.
He also visited Worcester on Sept. 3, 1824.
The celebration takes place as Worcester Common, behind city hall at 455 Main St., at 1 PM.
