 In the 17th and 18th centuries many Belgians left their mark on American history, including Lord Baltimore (whose family were Flemish aristocrats).Belgian officers also fought during the American Revolutionary War; these included Charles De Pauw (a Fleming who accompanied Lafayette to North America), Thomas Van Gaasbeck, Jacques Rapalje, Anthony Van Etten and Johannes Van Etten.The first major wave of people from Belgium came to United States during the 19th century, looking for financial opportunity and a better life for their families (in common with other Western Europeans).