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

1762 - Pierre André Latreille (French entomologist)

1841 - Wilfrid Laurier (Canadian Prime Minister)

1924 - Benoît Mandelbrot (Polish-born French mathematician)

Deaths

1316 - Jean Ier le Posthume

1742 - Melchior de Polignac (French diplomat)

2003 - David Dacko (first President of the Central African Republic)

Milestones/Events

1407 - Truce between John, Duke of Burgundy and Louis of Valois, Duke of Orléans agreed under the auspices of John, Duke of Berry (but Burgundy assassinated Orléans three days later)

1902 - Henri Desgrange and Géo Lefèvre came up with the idea for the Tour de France (over lunch)

Errors and Omissions

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