American Monument
The American Monument, also known as Tearful Liberty or the Marne Battle Monument, is a large monumental statue in Meaux, France. It was designed by American sculptor Frederick William MacMonnies and dedicated in 1932 in honor of the Allies of [World War I|Allied] troops who died in the First Battle of the Marne during World War I.
History
In 1914, during the First World War, German troops were advancing through northern France towards Paris. In September of that year, in the area near Meaux, the French Sixth Army launched an offensive against the German First Army. In the ensuing battle, the French and United [Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|British] combined forces caused the Germans to retreat, saving Paris from attack. In the United States, French sympathizers celebrated the victory. Following the end of the war in 1918, there was an effort to erect a statue to commemorate the battle. A contest was held to determine the designer of this monument, with Frederick William MacMonnies's model being chosen. Funds for the monument were raised in the United States, and it was erected as a gift from Americans to the French people. MacMonnies collaborated with fellow American sculptor Edmondo Quattrocchi on part of the monument. Described as his most ambitious project, the monument would also be one of MacMonnies's last major commissions. The monument took 14 years to erect and was dedicated in September 1932. In attendance at the dedication ceremony were French President Albert Lebrun, President of the Council Édouard Herriot, and members of the American Friends of France and the Ambulance Corps of the American Field Service.In 2011, the was opened next to the monument.