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

1768 - Joseph Fourier (French mathematician)

1914 - Paul Tortelier (French cellist)

1921 - Arthur Grumiaux (Belgian violinist)

1976 - Liza Harper (French actress)

Deaths

1076 - Robert I, Duke of Burgundy

1306 - Robert II, Duke of Burgundy

1676 - Henri Sauval (French historian)

1762 - Nicolas Louis de Lacaille (French astronomer)

1772 - Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (French cartographer)

1804 - Louis-Antoine-Henri de Bourbon-Condé, duc d'Enghien

1910 - Nadar (French photographer)

Milestones/Events

717 - Battle of Vincy between Charles Martel and Ragenfrid

1152 - Annulment of the marriage between Louis VII and Aliénor d'Aquitaine

1801 - Egypt: Battle of Alexandria fought between British and French forces near the ruins of Nicopolis

1804 - Code Napoléon was adopted as French civil law

1918 - World War I: Second Battle of the Somme

1940 - Paul Reynaud became Prime Minister of France

Errors and Omissions

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