http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/04/18/french-replica-revolutionary-frigate-sets-sail-for-boston/?intcmp=latestnews . Lafayette persuaded French King Louis XVI to provide military and financial support to George Washington's troops. Lafayette set sail on March 21, 1780, arrived 38 days later in Boston, and played an important role in the revolutionaries' ultimate defeat of Britain. . The relationship born of Lafayette's journey has also been lasting. Even in times of modern diplomatic tensions, American presidents routinely refer to France as "our oldest ally."
"If it hadn't been for that French intervention at that time," Young said, "the war of independence probably wouldn't have been won."