April 1865. A handful of Republicans, ardent admirers of American democracy, gather in Glatigny to celebrate the abolition of slavery in the United States and pay tribute to President Lincoln, who was assassinated six days earlier. During dinner, Édouard de Laboulaye, the politician behind this discreet gathering, spoke passionately about the idea of a colossal statue, a symbol of freedom, as a gift from France to America. His impassioned speech... see more