Join us for French wine and American Cheese! Make space in your calendar for one more event celebrating America's 250th. This one will be a bit different! 

Former federal prosecutor, constitutional fellow, professor, and longtime member of the Alliance Française de Philadelphie Julie Werner-Simon, JD, LLM, will reprise a well-received lecture she delivered this summer in Vichy, France for Bourbonnais aux Amériques and the Cavilam Alliance Française. Professor Werner-Simon, adjunct professor of Law at Philadelphia's Drexel University and her colleague Attorney Omer Ilter, have culled documented “gold nuggets” from the history shared by the two nations.  

Attorney Omer Ilter, co-author of this presentation and former student of Professor Werner-Simon, will make a video appearance. Mr. Ilter is an international lawyer licensed in California, who practices civil litigation. He was admitted to the Istanbul Bar of Turkey in 2021 and the California and Nevada State Bars in 2024. He received his LLM from the University of Southern California in 2024. Mr. Ilter's work has been published in America on subjects including international law and diplomacy, federal regulations, and legislation. 

Think history is boring? Think again! Did you know...? 

...that under Louis the 16th, the French sent “secret support” to the fledgling American revolutionaries during the American Revolution until Louis was sure that the Americans would win? "What battle was that?!" you may ask. Join the lecture to find out! Plus, a descendant of the battle that caused Louis the 16th to go "overt" with aid will be in attendance!

...that the Marquis de La Fayette named one of his children “George Washington”? When, at the invitation of President James Monroe, the Marquis returned to the U.S. over 50 years after the American Revolution, he encouraged Philadelphians to embrace historic preservation of the sites where American independence was crafted. Independence Hall is in large measure preserved due to Philadelphians heeding his call!

...that the French architect who left his imprint on Philadelphia and Washington D.C. got into a fight with Thomas Jefferson and lost the commission to formally design D.C.? The architect, who also fought in the Revolution, is buried there! 

If you liked these gold nuggets of history, you'll love the lecture! This and much more will be discussed during our lively and interesting look at Franco-American history. 

Event Information

Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Time: 6:30-8:00 PM
Location: Alliance Française de Philadelphie, 1420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Language: English, French
Cost: $15 AF Members / $20 Non-AF Members