To the Memory of Hugo Grotius / In
Reverence and Gratitude / From the United States of America / on the occasion of the International Peace Conference of The Hague / July 4th, 1899.
The wreath still hangs on Grotius' tomb to this day. W.H. de Beaufort said these words about the U.S. wreath on July 4, 1899:
I sincerely hope that this fine and precious work of art will remain for ever on the place where it is now fixed. ... May it act as a stimulus for future generations in their exertions in behalf of still further reforms in the practice of international law.
In honor of the 10 year anniversary of the International Criminal Court, on July 4, 2012, U.S. students, citizens and diplomats will convene another celebration at Grotius' tomb. A new wreath will be laid by U.S. Ambassador for Global Criminal Justice, Stephen J. Rapp. A number of addresses which focus on the United States' role in the development of the "Grotian Project" of international law will be delivered.