Though France and the US can seem worlds apart, and many Americans still find the majority of Europe's quirks to be bizarre, the two countries are actually quite closely linked. The history of French-American culture can still be felt today, as France was a supporter of the US from the very beginning.
However, due to recent US policy shifts under President Donald Trump, French politician Raphaël Glucksmann has proposed that the United States return the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France in 1881. Glucksmann argues that America's alignment with authoritarian regimes contradicts the statue's symbolism of freedom. Nonetheless, the French government has not endorsed this viewpoint, and the statue remains US property.
The deep historical ties between France and the US have long been reflected in shared values of democracy and freedom. While political tensions may shift, the enduring cultural and historical connections between the two nations remain strong.
Click through to explore key moments in French-American relations and discover which American celebrities have French heritage.