Today in Francophone History

Learn about important dates in French and francophone history: famous birthdays, holidays and celebrations, and other milestones. If the above does not match today's date or you wish to choose a specific date, please click here

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Birthdays

1651 - André Dacier (French classical scholar)

1671 - Jean-Baptiste Rousseau (French poet)

1725 - Pasquale Paoli (Corsican patriot and military leader)

1820 - Félix Nadar (French photographer)

1826 - Gustave Moreau (French painter)

1851 - Guillaume Bigourdan (French astronomer)


Deaths

1362 - James I, Count of La Marche (French soldier)

1655 - David Blondel (French Protestant clergyman)

1961 - Jules Bordet (Belgian immunologist and microbiologist)

1994 - Juvénal Habyarimana (President of Rwanda)

1994 - Cyprien Ntaryamira (President of Burundi)

2000 - Habib Bourguiba (President of Tunisia)

2005 - Rainier III, Prince of Monaco


Milestones/Events

1327 - Avignon, France: The poet Petrarch first saw his idealized love, Laura, in the church of Saint Clare

1814 - Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Elba; Restauration of the French monarchy began with the return of the Bourbon Dynasty to the throne

1984 - Cameroon: Members of the Republican Guard attempt an unsuccessful coup of Paul Biya's government

1994 - Rwandan Genocide began when the aircraft carrying Rwandan president Juvénal Habyarimana and Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira was shot down


Errors and Omissions

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