PROCLAMATION from Fred Camillo, First Selectman
WHEREAS, France was the first power to ally itself in 1778 with the newly born United States of America, and contributed to its independence with financial and military support during the American Revolution; and
WHEREAS, The victory of Admiral de Grasse’s 24 men-of-war ships (including the Hermione) at the Battle off the Capes, VA over Admiral Graves on September 1781, locking the access by sea to the British forces at Yorktown; and
WHEREAS, The USA and France are celebrating the 239th Anniversary of the 600-mile March of General Rochambeau’s Army from Newport RI to Yorktown, VA which led to Victory over General Cornwallis on October 19, 1781; and
WHEREAS, On July 14, 1789 the people of Paris stormed and captured the Bastille prison, a symbol of arbitrariness and oppression; and
WHEREAS, Five weeks later, in August 1789, the French National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, proclaiming that all men are born free and endowed with equal rights; and
WHEREAS, The United States and France have stood together in two World Wars to defend and uphold these principles strongly held by our two nations; and
WHEREAS, The French Community of Greenwich and their friends have assembled at Town Hall in Greenwich, Connecticut, to mark their commitment in enhancing the business, cultural and social life of this town, and to honor the shared values that are the unshakable foundation of the friendship between France and the United States.
NOW, THEREFORE, l, Fred Camillo, FIRST SELECTMAN OF THE TOWN OF GREENWICH, do
hereby proclaim July 14, 2020 as
Bastille Day
and in commemoration of Bastille Day and the many contributions that French Immigrants, Franco- -Americans, Francophones and France have made since 1778 to the United States of America, the French Flag will be raised and fly over the Greenwich Town Hall.