What event in the last 20 years has rallied the American people in such a way that there was a true sense of patriotism throughout the land?

France played a key role in the american revolutionary war (american war of independence; 1775–1783). motivated by the ideals of the new nation which were inspired by the french enlightenment, as well as its long-term rivalry with britain and so as to avenge their territorial losses during the french and indian war, france secretly began sending supplies to the americans in 1775.