De Gaulle Visits the United States

In April 1960, French President Charles De Gaulle visited with U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower in an effort to improve relations between France and the United States after diverging policy objectives in the 1950's strained the relationship.

De Gaulle and his wife, Yvonne, arrived in Washington, D.C., on April 22 for four days of meetings, a speech in front of a joint session of Congress, and a state dinner. On April 24 the two Presidents paid a visit to Eisenhower's farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, after which they continued their meetings at Camp David, Maryland.

President De Gaulle pays his respects at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

De Gaulle and Eisenhower tour Gettysburg National Military Park on April 24.

On April 26, the de Gaulles went to New York, where he was treated to a ticker tape parade (below).

On April 27, an estimated 250,000 San Franciscans lined the streets of De Gaulle’s motorcade route from the San Francisco International Airport to City Hall. Among his engagements that day, De Gaulle met with California Governor Edmund G. Brown and toured the bay.

President De Gaulle being formally welcomed in the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda.

The De Gaulles spent April 28-29 in New Orleans, Louisiana, before boarding a plane back to France. The De Gaulles were accompanied around the United States by Under Secretary of State Douglas Dillon, who had served as U.S. Ambassador to France from 1953 through 1957.

See Also

Charles De Gaulle
In the Year 1960

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This page was last updated on September 08, 2018.