Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834), often called simply Lafayette, was a French aristocrat and military officer who fought for the United States in the American Revolutionary War. In 1775, he became convinced that the American cause was noble. In the United States, he was made a major general. He was wounded during the Battle of Brandywine and served with distinction in the Battle of Rhode Island. In 1781, troops in Virginia under his command blocked British forces, leading to the decisive Siege of Yorktown. Lafayette returned to France and was elected a member of the Estates-General of 1789. After the storming of the Bastille, he was made head of the National Guard, and tried to steer a middle course through the French Revolution. In August 1792, the radical factions ordered his arrest. Fleeing through Belgium, he was captured by Austrian troops and spent more than five years in prison. In 1824, President James Monroe invited Lafayette to the United States, where he met a rapturous reception. During France's July Revolution of 1830, he supported Louis-Philippe as king, but turned against him when the monarch became autocratic.

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_du_Motier,_Marquis_de_Lafayette

_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1781:

American Revolutionary War: General Benedict Arnold led British forces to victory in the Battle of Groton Heights. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Groton_Heights

1930:

Argentine President Hipólito Yrigoyen was deposed in a military coup by José Félix Uriburu. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hip%C3%B3lito_Yrigoyen

1955:

A Turkish mob attacked ethnic Greeks in Istanbul, killing at least 13 people and damaging more than 5,000 Greek-owned homes and businesses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Istanbul_pogrom

1995:

Baltimore Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. played his 2131st consecutive major league baseball game, breaking the 56-year old record set by New York Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cal_Ripken,_Jr.

2000:

The Millennium Summit, a meeting of world leaders to discuss the role of the United Nations at the turn of the 21st century, opened in New York City. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennium_Summit

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

Attic: 1. Relating to Athenian culture or architecture. 2. Marked by the qualities that were characteristic of the Athenians; classical; refined. 3. Relating to that dialect of Ancient Greek. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Attic

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

When the government violates the people's rights, insurrection is, for the people and for each portion of the people, the most sacred of the rights and the most indispensable of duties.   --Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Gilbert_du_Motier,_Marquis_de_Lafayette