So much of my character today draws its essence from my French heritage. As an admirer of the French culture on so many levels, I am grateful to be part of an organization that is working to foster the fraternal bonds of America and France.
The Pont du Gard aqueduct bridge, located near the city of Avignon in the Provence region of France, was built in the first century AD to carry water to the Roman colony of Nemausus (Nîmes). Crossing the Gardon River near the village of Vers-Pont-du-Gard, this is the highest and one of the best preserved Roman aqueduct bridges in the world.
The Art Institute of Chicago has made thousands of artworks available to view on their website including many famous impressionist paintings. You can easily spend several hours immersed in the museum’s wide-ranging collection.
Washington National Cathedral presented a social distancing version of Easter services on Sunday, April 12, 2020. The celebration included a virtual service with 600+ singers and musicians, an organ recital, and an encore performance of Handel’s Messiah.
Toward the end of the 1700s, French trappers were among the first Europeans to visit the region, naming the river that runs through the park Roche Jaune. It is believed that this is a translation of the Hidatsa name that translates to Yellow Rock River.
French citizens have been warned to not travel for this year’s Easter celebration due to the coronavirus lockdown, so many people are planning to participate in traditions at home.
Château d’Angers is a castle in the city of Angers in the Loire Valley of France. In the 9th century, the Counts of Anjou founded the property which was expanded during the 13th century. The property overlooks the Maine river. It has been a historical monument since 1875.
Items from the “Degas at the Opera” exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. are available to view online along with over 50,000 items from the museum’s collection.
In 1922, a statue of Joan of Arc was erected at Meridian Hill Park in Washington, D.C. A symbol of friendship between France and the United States, the statue was dedicated following World War I with President Warren G. Harding in attendance along with French Ambassador Jean Jules Jusserand.
No one knows the exact origin of April Fool’s Day, but France has its own claim. Up until the middle of the 16th century, the New Year was celebrated in late March in Europe, ending on April 1. When Charles IX announced that the holiday would move to January 1, some people protested and continued with the spring celebration.
