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.

To learn more about important dates in French and francophone history, bookmark Today in Francophone History and visit every day!


Birthdays

1613 - Gilles Ménage (French scholar)

1769 - Napoleon Bonaparte (Emperor of France)

1810 - Louise Colet (French poet)

1813 - Jules Grévy (President of France)

1890 - Jacques Ibert (French composer)

1892 - Louis, 7th duc de Broglie (French physicist)

1944 - Sylvie Vartan (French singer)


Deaths

778 - Roland (Frankish commander)

1274 - Robert de Sorbon (French theologian, founder of the Sorbonne)

1369 - Philippa of Hainault (wife of Edward III of England)

1528 - Odet de Foix, Vicomte de Lautrec (French military leader)

1728 - Marin Marais (French composer and musician)

1967 - René Magritte (Belgian painter)


Holidays/Celebrations

Acadie – National Day

Republic of the Congo - national holiday (declared its independence from France in 1960)

Feast Day of the Assumption of Mary, Holy Day of Obligation (Belgium, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Mauritius, and Seychelles)


Milestones/Events

778 - Battle of Roncevaux Pass

1539 - Ordinance of Villers-Cotterêts

1755 - Le Grand Dérangement

1944 - World War II: Allied forces landed in southern France

1999 - Algeria: Beni Ounif massacre


Errors and Omissions

If you believe anything on this page is wrong or missing, please let me know