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

1501 - Isabella of Burgundy (wife of Christian II of Denmark)

1821 - Pauline Garcia-Viardot (French mezzo-soprano and composer)

1845 - Tristan Corbière (French poet)

1900 - Nathalie Sarraute (French writer)

1917 - Henri Salvador (French singer)

1951 - Elio Di Rupo (Belgian politician)

1978 - Melissa Theuriau (French newscaster)


Deaths

1100 - Godfrey of Bouillon (French crusader)

1721 - Antoine Watteau (French painter)

1730 - François de Neufville, duc de Villeroi (French soldier)

1952 - Paul Saintenoy (Belgian architect)

1968 - Corneille Heymans (Belgian physiologist)


Milestones/Events

390 BC - Roman-Gaulish Wars: Battle of the Allia - A Roman army was defeated by raiding Gauls, leading to the subsequent sacking of Rome

1857 - Siege of Medina Fort: Louis Faidherbe, French governor of Sénégal, arrived to relieve French forces at Kayes (today: in Mali)

1898 - Marie and Pierre Curie announced the discovery of a new element: polonium

1932 - The United States and Canada signed a treaty to develop the Saint Lawrence Seaway

1996 - Québec: Storms provoked severe flooding on the Saguenay River, beginning the Saguenay Flood


Errors and Omissions

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