L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument

L'Ecole Polytechnique Monument is a statue and monument located at the United States Military Academy. It was donated by cadets from the French school who died in defense of France in 1814 and as a symbol of brotherhood between the two nations and schools. First year cadets (plebes) are required to know the four "mistakes on the French Monument": the curved saber but straight scabbard; the flag blowing one direction, the coat tails the other; and the cannon balls too large for bore of the cannon. The monument was once located on the edge of the Plain, but has now been moved inside the cadet Central Area and is off limits to non-academy personnel.