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

1714 - César-François Cassini de Thury (French astronomer)

1818 - Charles Gounod (French composer)

1920 - François Jacob (French biologist)

1933 - Christian Ferras (French violinist)

1952 - Fabienne Thibeault (French Canadian singer)

Deaths

1734 - Claude-Louis-Hector de Villars (Marshal of France)

1762 - Prosper Jolyot de Crébillon (French writer)

Milestones/Events

1789 - France: The Third Estate declared itself the national assembly

1885 - The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York Harbor from France

1939 - Last public guillotining in France (convicted murderer Eugen Weidmann)

1940 - World War II: Operation Ariel began - Allied troops started to evacuate France, following Germany's takeover of Paris and most of the nation

1940 - World War II: Sinking of the RMS Lancastria by the Luftwaffe near Saint-Nazaire, France

Errors and Omissions

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