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

1157 - Richard I, Coeur de Lion (King Richard I of England)

1271 - Charles Martel d'Anjou (son of Charles II of Naples)

1588 - Marin Mersenne (French mathematician)

1621 - Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé (French general)

1672 - Nicolas de Grigny (French organist and composer)

1749 - Gabrielle de Polastron, comtesse de Polignac (French aristocrat)

1814 - Charles-Étienne Brasseur de Bourbourg (French writer and historian)

1830 - Frédéric Mistral (French poet)

1873 - Alfred Jarry (French writer)

1910 - Jean-Louis Barrault (French actor and director)

1924 - Mimi Parent (Canadian painter)

1930 - Nguyen Cao Ky (Premier of South Vietnam)

1945 - Rogie Vachon (Canadian ice hockey player)

1950 - Zachary Ricard (Cajun singer)


Deaths

1425 - King Charles III of Navarre

1761 - Bernard Forest de Bélidor (French engineer)

1822 - Marquise de Condorcet (French writer)

1969 - Alexandra David-Néel (French explorer and writer)

1983 - Antonin Magne (French cyclist)

2003 - Vadim Schneider (French actor)


Holidays/Celebrations

Andorra - National day: Mare de Deu de Meritxell

Journée internationale de l'alphabétisation (International Literacy Day)


Milestones/Events

1755 - French and Indian War: Battle of Lake George

1760 - Montreal, until then a French town, surrendered to the British

1796 - French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of Bassano

1962 - Algeria adopted a Constitution


Errors and Omissions

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