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
1826 - Empress Eugenie of France (wife of Napoleon III)
1935 - Bernard Pivot (French journalist)
1970 - Will Arnett (Canadian-American actor)
1970 - Soheil Ayari (French racer)
Deaths
1766 - Jean Astruc (French physician and scholar)
1808 - Pierre Jean George Cabanis (French physiologist)
1821 - Napoleon I of France
1992 - Jean-Claude Pascal (French singer)
Holidays/Celebrations
Europe Day
Mexico - Cinco de Mayo
Milestones/Events
1789 - France: Estates-General convened for the first time in 150 years
1835 - Belgium: first railway in continental Europe opened between Brussels and Mechelen
1862 - Mexico: Battle of Puebla - Troops halted a French invasion
1949 - Council of Europe was formed
Errors and Omissions
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