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Today in History: France Forms an Alliance with the U.S.
02/06/10
On February 6, 1778, in the midst of the Revolutionary War, France entered into a historic military alliance with the American colonies in their quest for independence from Great Britain. By signing the Treaty of Alliance, France officially recognized the independence of the fledgling United States and pledged to support the new nation during the war against England.
The signing of the treaty marked a tremendous diplomatic achievement for the American negotiators, Benjamin Franklin, Silas Deane, and Arthur Lee. Upon hearing the news on May 1, General George Washington sent a note to the Continental Congress saying that “no event was ever received with more heart felt joy.”