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Birth
Marquis de Lafayette was born on September 6 , 1757 in Chavaniac-Lafayette, France to Michel du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette and marie louise jolie de la riviere . -
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Marquis de Lafayette life span
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Father's death
--Lafayette's father, an officer in the King's army, is killed in action in Minden, Germany against the British during the Seven Years' War. -
Lafayette attends college at duPlessis
-Eleven year old Marquis De Lafayette moves to Paris and attends the College duPlessis. -
Mother's death
--Lafayette's mother, Madame de Lafayette, dies at the age of 33. -
Lafayette joins France's King;s Musketeers
-Because of his grandfather's military experiences and influences, he decides to join the King's Musketeers , a group og military households in france . -
Lafayette escapes from Paris
Lafayette recruits a dozen other men and uses a disguise to hide from the police who were ordered to arrest him for leaving without permission. Lafayette escapes across the Spanish border and boards ship off the coast of San Sebastian. He sails on this date. -
At 13 he becomes wealthiest aristocrats in Europe , after his grandfather dies .
Lafayette's maternal grandfather dies. He inherits great wealth from the La Riviere estate that includes a thousand acres of land, farms in Brittany, and business investments in the Indies. At 13, he becomes one of the wealthiest aristocrats in Europe. -
Lafayette applies to King Musketeers In corps de elite
Lafayette makes application for appointment to King's Musketeers in the corps de elite. -
Is an offcicial server in KIng's Musketeers
He receives official appointment to serve in King's Musketeers and begins his martial education at the Military Academy at Versailles. -
Lafayette becomes a Brevet Lieutenant
Lafayette becomes a Brevet Lieutenant in the prestigious Noailles Regiment. -
His marrige
Gilbert and Adrienne marry in the Noailles family chapel. At the time he was 16 , she was 14 . -
He decides to enlist as a volunteer in the American army and fight for the Americans
On a date Lafayette will always remember, he meets the Duke of Gloucester, brother of King George III, while on maneuvers at Metz, France. Here the young Frenchman learns about the rebellious Colonists in America who are defying their king to protest a system of taxation. He also learns several important facts: The Continental Congress has appointed General George Washington commander-in chief of the Continental Army. The Battle of Lexington. The taking of Fort Ticonderoga. He decides to enlist -
signing of declaration of independence
-The signing of the American Declaration of Independence. A sacred document even for Lafayette. who adopts it as his clarion call to action. -
Hired by U.S to work for continental army
-Johann DeKalb introduces Lafayette to Silas Deane, the American agent hired by Congress to recruit foreign officers to serve in the Continental Army for the American cause. -
Becomes a Major General in the American Army.
Lafayette signs a contract with Silas Deane in Paris and accepts the commission as Major General in the American Army. Because Congress has no funds to transport him and other volunteers to America, he uses his wealth to buy his own ship and calls it La Victoire. -
Lafayette sails to America from Paris
-Lafayette and DeKalb secretly leave Paris for Bordeaux where they make plans to sail to America. -
He arrives in America
-He arrives in South Carolina( the trouble child ) fom sailing all the way from Paris . -
Reveives his commission as major general in th Continental Army.
Lafayette arrives in Philadelphia to receive his commission as major general in th Continental Army. He meets General George Washington at the City Tavern and the two form a friendship and mutual respect that will last the rest of their lives. -
Lafayette Becomes an aide to General Washington
He becomes an aide-de-camp for General Washington at Moland Headquarters . -
Lafayette Sets up his HQ at Chad's Ford
Lafayette Sets up his HQ at Chad's Ford in preparation for the defense of the city of Philadelphia to stop the British invasion of the capital city. -
Lafayette is wounded in his left leg at the battle of Brandywine
-General Lafayette receives his baptism of fire in the Battle of Brandywine, Chad's Ford, Pennsylvania. He is also wounded with a bullet through his left leg . -
Lafayette is given command of Continental troops .
On orders from General Nathanael Greene, Lafayette is given command of Continental troops to reconnoiter British General Coirnwallis in New Jersey. Although outnumbered, his troops attack Hessians near Gloucester, New Jersey and send them reeling into defeat. -
Lafayette marches into Valley Forge
Lafayette marches into Valley Forge with Washington and the Continental Army with 12,000 troops. -
The French Alliance signed in Paris,
The French Alliance signed in Paris, the treaty of alliance and commerce between America and France. -
congress sends Lafayette to invade canada
-Congress sends Lafayette to invade Canada. Arrives at Albany. Mission aborted. Congress unable to give Lafayette the needed amount of troops to complete the mission successfully. -
Lafayette accomplishes projects in New York State.
Lafayette accomplishes projects in New York State. He gets pledge form Iroquois Indians to support the American cause. He recruits fifty (50) Oneidas and sends them to Valley Forge to join him there. -
Lafayette returns to Valley Forge.
Lafayette returns to Valley Forge. -
Takes 2200 troops from Valley Forge to Barren Hill to scout British in Philadelphia.
Takes 2200 troops from Valley Forge to Barren Hill to scout British in Philadelphia. -
Marquis obtains a leave of absence to go to France.
Marquis obtains a leave of absence to go to France. -
-General Washington sends Lafayette to Rhode Island.
-General Washington sends Lafayette to Rhode Island. His HQ is established at Bristol. -
Lafayette goes to France seeking aide from its gov.
Lafayette returns to on board American ship The Alliance to get aid from French government. Washington desperately in need of all Military supplies including land troops. -
Lafayette finds Washington military help with a French Expeditionary force
afayette submits a carefully prepared plan to foreign minister the Count de Maurepas giving General Washington military help with a French Expeditionary force. This is the same project put into effect a year later under the overall command of Lieutenant General the Count de Rochambeau. Lafayette argues for French troops to come under the overall command of General Washington including French senior ranking General Rochambeau of the French Expeditionary Forces. -
British troops led by Sir Henry Clinton leave Newport to go to New York.
British troops led by Sir Henry Clinton leave Newport to go to New York. -
Lafayette's wife gives birth to son George Washington Lafayette
Adrienne,The Marquise de Lafayette, gives birth to a baby boy. Lafayette names the infant George Washington Lafayette. -
Lafayette submits to the Count de Maurepas an elaborate paper discussing the dangers of a British victory to empasize the U.S.'s need for aid .
To emphasize and speed up Washington's much needed military aid, Lafayette submits to the Count de Maurepas an elaborate paper discussing the dangers of a British victory in their southern campaign and the precarious condition of Washington's forces in the North. The King and his ministers are convinced and accede to Lafayette's persuasive arguments. -
Lafayette finally gets America powerful and efficient aid .
Lafayette arrives at Morristown Headquarters and greets Washington with the King of France's message of agreeing to aid to the U.S. The French Expeditionary Force will arrive in America with more than 6,000 elite troops, artillery pieces, munitions, ships and money. Lieutenant General the Count de Rochambeau will command the troops. Washington is elated as his morale soars. He credits Lafayette with the help that will turn the tide of the war toward an American victory. -
-Lafayette arrives at Boston Harbor. Is enthusiastically greeted as a hero.
-Lafayette arrives at Boston Harbor. Is enthusiastically greeted as a hero. -
--Report of 4,000 men to sail from France to America brought a commission from Louis XVI appointing Washington lieutenant general of the armies of France and vice-admiral of its fleets.
--Report of 4,000 men to sail from France to America brought a commission from Louis XVI appointing Washington lieutenant general of the armies of France and vice-admiral of its fleets. -
The Battle at Camden, South Carolina
The Battle at Camden, South Carolina is yet another British Victory that took the life of Lafayette's comrade-in-arms, General Johan De Kalb. -
dicovery of General Benedict Arnold has committed treason by spying for the British and joining their forces.
Conference held at Hartford, Connecticut. Present are Washington, Lafayette, Rochambeau, Chastellux and General Henry Knox. Main subject of conversation: discovery that General Benedict Arnold has committed treason by spying for the British and joining their forces. -
Lafayette takes command of a corps of troops and saves Virginia from Cornwallis' scorched earth policy.
Nathanael Greene has command of Continentals in the Southern campaign. He asks General Washington to send Lafayette to help him counter Cornwallis's destruction of Virginia. Lafayette takes command of a corps of troops and saves Virginia from Cornwallis' scorched earth policy. -
Lafayette traps General cornwallis at Yorktown
ornwallis, is attempt to from Lafayette, evacuates Williamsburg, Virginia. He maneuvers toward Yorktown, where Lafayette wants him cornered. Washington orders Lafayette to delay him at Yorktown until he arrives with Rochambeau and the French-American forces. -
-Lafayette meets Washington and Rochambeau at Williamsburg to assure them that Cornwallis is trapped.
-Lafayette meets Washington and Rochambeau at Williamsburg to assure them that Cornwallis is trapped. -
The seige of Yortown begins
-the siege of Yorktown begins. French and American forces dig trenches and us the Vauban method of siege warfare. Washington fives Lafayette overall command of American forces with General Baron Von Steuben and John Peter Gabriel Muhlenberg under his command. -
French and American troops cannonade the British into surrender after nine days of blistering artillery fire.
French and American troops cannonade the British into surrender after nine days of blistering artillery fire. -
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. Washington wins the War of Independence.
Cornwallis surrenders at Yorktown. Washington wins the War of Independence. -
Lafayette leaves for France
Lafayette gets permission from Congress to return to France. He leaves Boston Harbor on the ship The Alliance on a diplomatic mission bearing congratulatory documents to the King of France. -
Lafayette has returned to France in triumph and becomes the most celebrated man in Europe
A formal reception is given to Lafayette at the Court of Versailles by the King of France with Queen Marie Antoinette joining the celebration of victory. Lafayette has returned to France in triumph and becomes the most celebrated man in Europe. Voltaire, before his death in 1778, called him the Hero of Two Worlds. Lafayette now promoted to marechal de camp: major general or field marshal. -
Adrienne gives birth to a daughter Virginie, named after George Washington's state of Virginia.
Adrienne gives birth to a daughter Virginie, named after George Washington's state of Virginia. -
Lafayette is awarded the prestigious medal Le Chavalier de Saint James for his brilliant achievements as a general in the American Continental Army.
Lafayette is awarded the prestigious medal Le Chavalier de Saint James for his brilliant achievements as a general in the American Continental Army. -
The treaty of Paris is signed
-The Treaty of Paris signed by Benjamin Franklin and French and British officials thereby officially ending the American Revolutionary War against Great Britain. America wins its complete independence. -
Lafayette leaves Paris to visit Mount Vernon as Washington's honored guest.
-Lafayette leaves Paris to visit Mount Vernon as Washington's honored guest. -
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Lafayette is elected as representative of the nobility to the Estates General at Paris
Lafayette is elected as representative of the nobility to the Estates General at Paris. He becomes a leader of the liberal aristocrats and an outspoken advocate of religious freedom and the abolition of the slave trade. -
Lafayette recevies honary of laws from UNI of pennyslvania and Harvad , He is also now a citizen in Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia
Lafayette receives honorary doctor of laws degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University.-Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts make him an honorary American citizen. -
-Created the Flag of France.
-Created the Flag of France. -
Lafayette introduces The National Assembly In Paris his Version of the Declaration of Rights of Man the Citizen
Lafayette becomes the first Frenchman to introduce at the National Assembly in Parris his version of the Declaration of the Rights of Man the Citizen. -
Lafayette is elected vice president of L'Assembly
Lafayette is elected vice president of L'Assemble. -
French Revolution Begins
The French Revolution begins. Lafayette orders the storming of the Bastille, a symbol of the feudal injustices. He sends the key of the Bastille as a souvenir to General Washington at Mount Vernon where is displayed today. His act results in the beginning of the end of the corrupt feudal system that handicapped French society for more than a thousand years. -
Lafayette's troops save King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette from a furious crowd that invades Versailles.
Lafayette's troops save King Louis XVI and Queen Marie-Antoinette from a furious crowd that invades Versailles. He escorts them to Paris where they become hostages of the Revolutionaries. -
Lafayette receives an honorary doctor of law degree from Princeton University.
Lafayette receives an honorary doctor of law degree from Princeton University. -
France declares war against Austria.
France declares war against Austria. -
The French monarchy is overthrown in a popular insurrection.
The French monarchy is overthrown in a popular insurrection. -
Lafayette is arrested and is planned to be exucuted
Danton and Robespierre demand the arrest of Lafayette and all other aristocrats and plan to prosecute them for treason an then execute them. -
-Lafayette leaves France and flees to Belgium,
-Lafayette leaves France and flees to Belgium, where he is turned over to Austria and held prisoner. Lafayette claims American citizenship and argues for his release but Austrian officials ignore his protestation. -
Adrienne de Lafayette is arrested by police at Chateau Chavaniac and is confined here indefinitely.
Adrienne de Lafayette is arrested by police at Chateau Chavaniac and is confined here indefinitely. -
Adrienne de Lafayette is arrested by police at Chateau Chavaniac and is confined here indefinitely.
Adrienne de Lafayette is arrested by police at Chateau Chavaniac and is confined here indefinitely. -
The duration of the Reign of Terror. It stands as one of the blackest marks in French history.
The duration of the Reign of Terror. It stands as one of the blackest marks in French history. The terrorists like Danton and Robespierre take control of the government, arrest suspects with little or no evidence, give them quick trials and guillotine more than a thousand people, most of whom are aristocrats. -
Adrienne ,is transferred to a Prison in Paris
Adrienne is transferred to a prison in Paris where she joins her mother, sister and grandmother. They are all condemned to execution by the guillotine.Basicaly they were senteced to death . -
- Lafayette became a Prisoner in Olmutz Prison.
- Lafayette became a Prisoner in Olmutz Prison.
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Adrienne is liberated and doesn't have to be killed .
Adrienne is liberated thanks to pressure put on trench officials by Gouverneur Morris, the wife of James Monroe and other Americans. -
Fifteen-year -old George Washington Lafayette is sent to America to stay with George Washington, until the crisis ends.
Fifteen-year -old George Washington Lafayette is sent to America to stay with George Washington, until the crisis ends. -
The Lafayette family is granted to be together in the same prison
Adrienne de Lafayette asks permission from Austrian monarchy to allow her and her daughters Anastasie and Virginie to join Lafayette in prison at Olmutz. They left the same month . -
Lafayette family is reunited at the same prison
hey arrive at the prison and Lafayette is overwhelmed by their sacrifice to join him. Their living conditions in and adjoining cell are abominable and unsanitary. -
George Washington Lafayette returns to France from the United States. The entire family is together again.
George Washington Lafayette returns to France from the United States. The entire family is together again. -
Lafayette and his family are liberated
Lafayette and his family are liberated thanks to American help and the blessing of President George Washington. -
Napoleon refuses to let Lafayette into France
Napoleon comes to power with a wisp of grapeshot and the cost of Loyalist corpses in the streets of Paris. Napoleon refuses to let Lafayette into the country because of his liberal democratic ideas. Lafayette defies him by ignoring his intimidations and returns anyway to become a gentleman farmer. -
The death of Adrienne the Marquise de Lafayette at age 47.
The death of Adrienne the Marquise de Lafayette at age 47. -
Napoleon invades Russia with 500,000 soldiers.
Napoleon invades Russia with 500,000 soldiers. -
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo by British General Wellington. Napoleon begs for British mercy but is sent into exile. Lafayette is relieved that France has survived another political catastrophe.
Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo by British General Wellington. Napoleon begs for British mercy but is sent into exile. Lafayette is relieved that France has survived another political catastrophe. -
Lafayette is an honored guest of the U.S. at President James Monroe's invitation
Lafayette arrives in America as an honored guest of the United States of America at President James Monroe's invitation. He is received with wild adulation. When asked by hosts how he wished to be introduced to his audiences, he replied,"As an American General" -
Lafayette's memorable visit to Philadelphia with his unforgettable speech at the State House, today's Independence Hall.
Lafayette's memorable visit to Philadelphia with his unforgettable speech at the State House, today's Independence Hall. -
r--The town fathers at Easton, Pennsylvania decide to name their institution of higher learning in honor of General Lafayette
The town fathers at Easton, Pennsylvania decide to name their institution of higher learning in honor of General Lafayette after listening to his State House speech in Philadelphia. Lafayette College becomes one of America's greatest memorials to General the Marquis de Lafayette. -
Marquis de Lafayette spoke under the Liberty Tree.
Marquis de Lafayette spoke under the Liberty Tree. -
He returns to France after his spectacular visitation to each of the 24 states of the Union.
He returns to France after his spectacular visitation to each of the 24 states of the Union. -
Lafayette College officially founded to honor the great soldier-statesman.
Lafayette College officially founded to honor the great soldier-statesman. -
Lafayette commands the National Guard that helped overthrow King Charles X and installs Louis-Philippe on the throne.
Lafayette commands the National Guard that helped overthrow King Charles X and installs Louis-Philippe on the throne. -
-Lafayette actively supports the Polish Revolution.
-Lafayette actively supports the Polish Revolution. He gave endless speeches in the Chamber of Deputies; he gave financial support, entertained exiled politicians and became a founding member of the Polish Committee. -
Lafayette organizes and launches a public campaign to rally French government support for Poland and demands changes in the weak government policy against the Russian despotism.
Lafayette organizes and launches a public campaign to rally French government support for Poland and demands changes in the weak government policy against the Russian despotism. qith the support Fifty French politicians, journalist,and writers . -
Lafayette's death
Lafayette dies in Paris, four months shy of his 77th birthday. -
Lafayette is buried in Paris , His son George Washington Lafayette scatters American soil around his casket as for the was his wish . To be buried in American soil .
Buried at Picpus Cemetery in Paris next to his wife. His son George Washington Lafayette scattered American soil around his casket. He rests as he wished--to be buried in American soul. Since the 1890's an American flag has flown at his gravesite as a mark of respect and for a man who risked his life and fortune for a country he loved as much as his own beloved France.