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 cannonballs too large for bore of the cannon.