U.S. presents monumental statue, commemorating Battle of the Marne, to people of France.

The scene is on a hill top overlooking the plateau along the Marne River where the Battle of the Marne took place 18 years earlier. The occasion is the presentation, from the people of the United States, of a 130 foot high granite monument, commemorating the heroic defense by French troops in the Battle of the Marne. The monument, designed by Frederick MacMonnies, depicts La Belle France, supporting a wounded French infantryman, and was reportedly underwritten in part, by the contributions of pennies, nickles, and dimes from four million school children in the United States. French and American officials unveil the monument. Numerous spectators stand by to cheer and applaud. Armed soldiers hold national flags and salute in honor. U.S. Ambassador to France, Walter Evans Edge, gives presentation speech, as other dignitaries and people listen. (Note: At the time of this event, this was the largest carved granite monolith monument in the world, and viewed, by many Americans, as a gift of thanks to France for the statue of Liberty.)