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President James Monroe invited the Marquis de Lafayette to visit the United States, his adopted country. Lafayette’s tour of all 24 states in 1824 and 1825 drew large crowds and sparked a renewal of patriotism. During the American Revolution, Lafayette’s intense advocacy of the American cause convinced King Louis XVI of France to send troops and ships, which proved crucial to the American victory at Yorktown. 

On June 30, 1825, Lafayette was welcomed to Whitehall, New York, with an extraordinary celebration, crossing the old Champlain canal bridge under a canopy of flags while children dressed in white showered him with roses, creating a “carpet of flowers” in his honor. Lafayette arrived by boat (the Phoenix II) and was escorted into the village, where crowds had gathered to greet him. The children's innocence and the symbolism of roses—purity, gratitude, and remembrance—made this one of the most memorable visits of his entire tour. From Whitehall, Lafayette continued his journey through New York to New York City.

Learn about Revolutionary War Combat Strategy. Watch the Revolutionary War . For a summary, read An Overview of the American Revolution.