GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 701
Short Title: Adopt Lafayette Day. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Charles Smith, Blackwell, Wheatley, and Colvin (Primary
Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the
House
April 3, 2025
*H701 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT ADOPTING THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF M AY OF EACH YEAR AS 2
LAFAYETTE DAY. 3
Whereas, North Carolina cities and towns from the Virginia line down to the South 4
Carolina line – including Murfreesboro, Jackson, Halifax, Enfield, Rocky Mount, Raleigh, and 5
Fayetteville – held festive bicentennial commemorations from February 26 through March 5, 6
2025; and 7
Whereas, the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence Chapter of the National 8
Society Daughters of the American Revolution is celebrating the Bicentennial of Lafayette's 9
Farewell Tour of America in 2024-2025; and 10
Whereas, Lafayette is known as the Hero of Two Worlds, America and France, and 11
this celebration honors the visit to America of the last of the surviving Major Generals of the 12
American Revolution; and 13
Whereas, in 1777 during the American Revolutionary War, the young Marquis de 14
Lafayette first rendered service to America by traveling from France to give aid to the colonies 15
fighting for their independence, becoming one of George Washington's most trusted major 16
generals and considered by many to be his "adopted son"; and 17
Whereas, during Lafayette's service, undertaken at his own expense, he proved to be 18
indispensable to the cause of American independence in both his military and diplomatic roles; 19
and 20
Whereas, during the American Revolutionary War, the 2nd North Carolina Regiment 21
fought at Brandywine (1777) and Monmouth Courthouse (1778), two of the numerous battles in 22
which Lafayette led other American troops; and 23
Whereas, General Lafayette commanded an American infantry division during the 24
Battle of Yorktown, in which his actions were key to the defeat and surrender of British General 25
Cornwallis, a decisive American victory that caused England to recognize the United States of 26
America as a sovereign Nation; and 27
Whereas, Lafayette was a lifelong advocate for human rights, religious liberty, racial 28
equality, and civil rights, relinquishing his own noble title during the French Revolution and 29
co-authoring with Thomas Jefferson France's Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen; 30
and 31 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 701-First Edition
Whereas, Lafayette was an early and consistent voice against slavery in France and 1
in America, where he sought to persuade American friends, including George Washington, 2
Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, to eradicate this evil; and 3
Whereas, Lafayette supported women's rights in matters of education and divorce, 4
endorsing and promoting the views of activists like Frances (Fanny) Wright; and 5
Whereas, during Lafayette's Farewell Tour of America in 1824-1825, he visited the 6
then-24 states, including North Carolina, and addressed the ideals of liberty, justice, and 7
democracy; and 8
Whereas, the State Assembly of North Carolina changed the name of the area known 9
as "Campellton" to "Fayetteville" in honor of Lafayette on May 17, 1783, thus becoming the first 10
state in America to do so; and 11
Whereas, the State of North Carolina should adopt an official North Carolina 12
Lafayette Day; Now, therefore, 13
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 14
SECTION 1. Chapter 103 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 15
section to read: 16
"§ 103-19. Lafayette Day. 17
The seventeenth day of May of each year is designated as Lafayette Day in the State of North 18
Carolina." 19
SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law. 20