Carroll Family Odyssey in Saint-Omer celebrated week of July 4
NEW YORK, June 30, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a two-day celebration of its own, Saint-Omer (near Calais), a town in Nord Pas-de-Calais will celebrate America's 240th Independence Day on July 8th and 9th, 2016. The French town's unlikely Franco-American relationship exists due to three American men from one family, The Carrolls (two brothers and one cousin), all of whom studied in Saint-Omer College: John Carroll served as the first bishop and archbishop in the United States and was the founder of Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Charles Carroll, served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and Confederation Congress and later was first United States Senator for Maryland. He was the only Catholic signatory of the Declaration of Independence. Daniel Carroll was one of five men to sign both the "Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union" (1778) and the United States Constitution (1787) and the first of the three Carrolls to arrive in France from the English Colonies of America.
The three cousins studied in Saint-Omer at the English Jesuit College. Going back home, they later played a key role in the foundation and development of the future United States of America. Having left Ireland because of the religion wars, their grandfather and granduncle, Charles Carroll the Settler, settled in Maryland with his family. Their motto leaving their country was "In Fide et Bello Fortis" (Strong in faith and in war) will then become "Ubicunque cum Libertate" (Anywhere so long as there be Freedom). The Carrolls will forever be three pillars of the creation of the American nation, symbols of religious, cultural and economic freedom. Their extraordinary fate created an indelible link between Saint-Omer and Maryland. To commemorate this legacy and influence that the famous Carrolls had on American history and politics, the town has commissioned a special opus, "The Carroll Odyssey," that will debut during the festivities at the Saint-Omer Cathedral, a national monument in France. The piece is composed and conducted by Jean-Philippe Vanbeselaere and accompanied by a show of images to celebrate the town's Franco-American heritage.
There will also be exhibits on the battle of Yorktown, the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War, where Franco-American won a decisive victory over the British Army.
A program of the events surrounding the town is available by clicking here.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160628/385320
SOURCE Atout France - France Tourism Development Agency
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