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

1623 - François de Montmorency-Laval (first bishop of New France)

1651 - Jean-Baptiste de la Salle (French educational reformer and Catholic saint)

1664 - François Louis, Prince of Conti (French general)

1723 - Mathurin Jacques Brisson (French naturalist)

1955 - Nicolas Hulot (French environmentalist and journalist)

1959 - Stephen Harper (Prime Minister of Canada)


Deaths

1341 - John III, Duke of Brittany

1524 - Pierre Terrail, seigneur de Bayard (French soldier)

1655 - Eustache Le Sueur (French painter)

1758 - François d'Agincourt (French composer)

1795 - Jean-Jacques Barthélemy (French writer and numismatist)

1875 - Jean Frederic Waldeck (French explorer, lithographer, and cartographer)

1883 - Édouard Manet (French painter)


Milestones/Events

1794 - French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of Boulou - French forces defeated the Spanish under General Union

1803 - Louisiana Purchase: France sold the Louisiana Territory to the US for $15 million

1863 - Hacienda Camarón, Mexico: Battle of Camarón - Mexican forces attacked the French Foreign Legion


Errors and Omissions

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