Max the Marmot

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Using Euros as Money!

Just like in the US, when you want to buy something in France, you have to use money. However, while Americans use dollars, the French use the Euro.

The French language is a cousin of English!

Did you know that a lot of English is based on French? It's true.

Almost a thousand years ago, in 1066, a brave knight named William the Conqueror made a journey from France to England and took over from the tribes that had fought over the island we now call England. William spoke French. The tribes spoke an old form of English.

Marmot Max Loves Shopping for Shoes

When Americans think of France, we generally think of excellent food. But we also think about FASHION. Fashion is the art of creating clothes and accessories that make people say Ooo-la-la!

Pirate Jean Laffite, an American Hero

In 1814, near the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, an American General faced an overwhelming attack from the British. Andrew Jackson, later President of the United States, faced the problem of defending the important city at the mouth of the Mississippi river with only his small force. A French Pirate stepped forward to make the city safe.

The Black Swallow of Death, an American of the French Air Force

Eugene Bullard, or as his friends knew him "Black Swallow of Death", was an American pilot who fought for France during the Great War in 1917. Bullard was born in the United States, in Georgia, but ran away when he was young to escape racism. He eventually went to Paris and settled in until the war came in 1914. He then joined the French Foreign Legion and fought on the front lines.

General Lafayette

One of the great heroes of the American revolution was Gilbert de Motier, more widely known in the US as General Lafayette.

General Lafayette was very young when he sneaked out of France against the orders of the King to go to American and fight with General Washington.

Lafayette has many towns and places named after him in the US. Probably only Washington and Lincoln have more.

Lafayette and Washington became close friends and when Lafayette was wounded, Washington told medics to take care of him "as if he were my son."

Lafayette, though very young, became an important military strategist for Washington and developed hit and run attacks that made the British crazy and preserved his forces.

Lafayette also had a strong role in getting French help for the Americans. The King of France forgave Lafayette and allowed Lafayette to talk him into providing money, troops and the help of the French fleet--all of which proved crucial at the Battle of Yorktown, where the British surrendered and the battle for our freedom was won!

Lafayette was much beloved and when he returned later in life, he was greeted by hundreds of thousands of grateful Americans. Congress voted to make Lafayette an honorary US Citizen, but Lafayette returned to France where he helped lead the French revolution.

While Lafayette was a nobleman, a Marquis, he preferred the title of General he received serving the American army under Washington. Today, you can visit the General's grave in Paris! If you can find it! Marmots are not allowed in the graveyard!

You can also see General Lafayette's headquarters at Valley Forge.

Do you know of a place named after General Lafayette? If part of your address is named after Lafayette, put it in the comments!