Alliance Française de Charlotte and the Zeitgeist foundation of North Carolina cordially invite you to the

Celebration of German French Contribution to the War of Independence
at the occasion of the 250th Birthday of the United States.

America is turning 250! 

This is the 250th birthday of America because 2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, a pivotal moment when the United States declared its separation from Great Britain and began its journey as a new nation.

Our guest speaker, John Beakes, a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, is the author of “de Kalb, one of the Revolutionary War’s bravest Generals”. 

Who was Johann De Kalb?

German-native Johann de Kalb is commonly associated with France. As he spoke French and English, he entered French military service, became a French American liaison during a time of upheaval in 1768 and later became a major general in the French Army. By the time of the American Revolutionary War, he was serving alongside French-supported forces and is often described as a French officer of German birth. De Kalb, with his protégé La Fayette, was greatly revered by his contemporaries and is still regarded as a hero of the American Revolution. He died in the battle of Camden, SC in 1780.

This is the perfect example of the connection between France, Germany and the United States, so the perfect topic of a German-native French officer appraised by an American speaker expert in the American Revolution to celebrate the 250th birthday of the US.

Come, discover who de Kalb really was and celebrate with us this amazing Revolutionary time

at our DINNER DISCUSSION on Wednesday April 29, 2026, at 6pm at the Firethorne Country Club

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