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

1524 - François Hotman (French lawyer and writer)

1741 - Jean-François de Galaup, count de La Pérouse (French explorer)

1754 - King Louis XVI of France

1769 - Georges Cuvier (French biologist and statesman)

1908 - Arthur Adamov (Russian-born French playwright)

1930 - Michel Rocard (Prime Minister of France)

1932 - Houari Boumedienne (President of Algeria)


Deaths

1507 - Jean Molinet (French writer)

1519 - Philibert Berthelier (Swiss patriot)

1540 - Guillaume Budé (French scholar)

1806 - Charles Augustin de Coulomb (French physicist)

1866 - Auguste Barthelemy (French poet)

1937 - Albert Roussel (French composer)


Holidays/Celebrations




Milestones/Events

1328 - Battle of Cassel: French troops stopped an uprising of Flemish farmers

1328 - King Philippe VI of France crowned

1541 - Jacques Cartier (French explorer) landed near Quebec City on his third voyage to Canada

1793 - French Revolution: mass conscription decreed by the National Convention

1799 - Napoleon left Egypt for France to seize power

1813 - Battle of Grossbeeren: Prussians repulsed the French army

1944 - World War II: liberation of Marseille

1948 - World Council of Churches formed

1952 - Arab League went into effect


Errors and Omissions

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