François Mitterrand

Mitterrand was born in Jarnac, Charente. In his youth he was a staunch conservative and an ardent Catholic. His first political act was to join the ultranationalist Croix de Feu, which he did in preference to the larger but equally conservative Action Française due to the proscription of the latter organisation by the Vatican. Enrolled during WWII, he was made prisoner in 1940 and his political views evolved as he met prisoners from all kinds of social backgrounds. He escaped in 1941 on his second attempt. He then reached the so-called free zone and became an employee of the Vichy gover ...

See also:

François Mitterrand, François Mitterrand - Early career, François Mitterrand - Presidency, François Mitterrand - The Famous Last Meal, François Mitterrand - Scandals and controversies of Mitterrand's presidency and death

Read more here: » François Mitterrand: Encyclopedia II - François Mitterrand - Early career

1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. 1996 - Events. January 5 - Hamas operative Yahya Ayyash is killed by an Israeli-planted booby-trapped cell phone. January 7 - One of the worst blizzards in American history hits eastern states, killing more than 100. January 8 - Zairean cargo plane crashes into a crowded market in the center of the capital Kinshasa ...

Including:

• 1996 - Events
• 1996 - February
• 1996 - March
• 1996 - April
• 1996 - May
• 1996 - June
• 1996 - July
• 1996 - August
• 1996 - September
• 1996 - October
• 1996 - November
• 1996 - December
• 1996 - Environmental change
• 1996 - Unknown date
• 1996 - Births
• 1996 - Deaths
• 1996 - January-February
• 1996 - March-June
• 1996 - July-December
• 1996 - Nobel Prizes
• 1996 - Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel
• 1996 - Templeton Prize
• 1996 - Right Livelihood Award

Read more here: » 1996: Encyclopedia - 1996

The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive, the last decade of the 20th Century. Informally, it can also include a few years at the end of the preceding decade or the beginning of the following decade. The 90s were marked with rapid progression of democracy, globalization and global capitalism following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Key forces shaping the decade were the Gulf War; popularization of Personal Computers and the Internet, leading to the .com boom. ...

Including:

• 1990s - Events and trends
• 1990s - Similarities with the 2000s Decade
• 1990s - Technology
• 1990s - Science
• 1990s - War, peace, and politics
• 1990s - Economics
• 1990s - Culture
• 1990s - Other significant events
• 1990s - People
• 1990s - World leaders
• 1990s - Entertainers
• 1990s - Films
• 1990s - Books & Literature
• 1990s - Sports figures

Read more here: » 1990s: Encyclopedia - 1990s

1974 (MCMLXXIV) is a common year starting on Tuesday (click on link for calendar). 1974 - Events. January 5 - Dungeons & Dragons officially released. January 6 - In response to the energy crisis, daylight saving time commences nearly four months early in the United States. January 30 - G. Gordon Liddy found guilty of Watergate charges 1974 - February. February 1 - Fire in Joelman Bank Building in Sao Paulo, Brazil - ...

Including:

• 1974 - Events
• 1974 - February
• 1974 - March
• 1974 - April
• 1974 - May
• 1974 - June
• 1974 - July
• 1974 - August
• 1974 - September
• 1974 - October
• 1974 - November
• 1974 - December
• 1974 - Unknown date
• 1974 - Births
• 1974 - January
• 1974 - February
• 1974 - March
• 1974 - April
• 1974 - May
• 1974 - June
• 1974 - July
• 1974 - August
• 1974 - September
• 1974 - October
• 1974 - November
• 1974 - December
• 1974 - Unknown date
• 1974 - Deaths
• 1974 - January
• 1974 - February
• 1974 - March
• 1974 - April
• 1974 - May
• 1974 - June
• 1974 - July
• 1974 - August
• 1974 - September
• 1974 - October
• 1974 - November
• 1974 - December
• 1974 - Nobel Prizes
• 1974 - Fields Medalists
• 1974 - Templeton Prize

Read more here: » 1974: Encyclopedia - 1974

Philippe Pétain - Pétain's First Government 16 June - 12 July 1940. Philippe Pétain - President of the Council Camille Chautemps - Vice President of the Council Paul Baudoin - Minister of Foreign Affairs Maxime Weygand - Minister of National Defense Louis Colson - Minister of War Charles Pomaret - Minister of the Interior Yves Bouthillier - Minister of Finance and Commerce André Février - Minister of Labour Charles Frémicourt - Mi ...

See also:

Philippe Pétain, Philippe Pétain - Early life, Philippe Pétain - World War I, Philippe Pétain - Between the wars, Philippe Pétain - World War II and Vichy France, Philippe Pétain - Post-war trial and legacy, Philippe Pétain - Lists of the successive Pétain governments until 1942, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's First Government 16 June - 12 July 1940, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Second Government 12 July - 6 September 1940, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Third Government 6 September 1940 - 25 February 1941, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Fourth Ministry 25 February - 12 August 1941, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Fifth Government 12 August 1941 - 18 April 1942

Read more here: » Philippe Pétain: Encyclopedia II - Philippe Pétain - Lists of the successive Pétain governments until 1942

1916 (MCMXVI) is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) 1916 - Events. January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. Impressionist Monet paints 'Water Lilies'. January 5 - Heavy rain - allegedly caused by rainmaker Charles Hatfield - begins; it will cause flooding around San Diego, California January 8 - Allied forces withdraw from Gallipoli January 13/14 - ...

Including:

• 1916 - Events
• 1916 - March-June
• 1916 - July-August
• 1916 - October-December
• 1916 - Unknown dates
• 1916 - Ongoing events
• 1916 - Disputed events
• 1916 - Births
• 1916 - January-March
• 1916 - April-June
• 1916 - July-December
• 1916 - Deaths
• 1916 - Nobel Prizes

Read more here: » 1916: Encyclopedia - 1916

1981 (MCMLXXXI) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. 1981 - Events. January - Sarawak chamber found January 1 - Greece enters the EEC January 1 - Palau becomes self-governing January 4 - Sheffield police arrests Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper January 13 - Donna Griffiths, a schoolgirl in Pershore, Worcestershire, UK, begins a uncontrollable series of sneezes that end September 16, 1983 - after 978 days Janua ...

Including:

• 1981 - Events
• 1981 - March-April
• 1981 - May
• 1981 - June-July
• 1981 - August-October
• 1981 - November-December
• 1981 - unknown dates
• 1981 - Births
• 1981 - January-March
• 1981 - April-June
• 1981 - July-September
• 1981 - October-December
• 1981 - Deaths
• 1981 - Nobel Prizes
• 1981 - Templeton Prize

Read more here: » 1981: Encyclopedia - 1981

1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 The 1980s decade refers to the years from 1980 to 1989, inclusive. Informally, it can also include a few years at the end of the preceding decade or the beginning of the following decade. In the UK the first major 1980s fashion trend was sparked by the arrival of the New Romantics in the popular music charts in 1980. The election of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister in 1979 is also considered to be a major turning point. In America, the decade was most poignan ...

Including:

• 1980s - Trends and Fashions
• 1980s - Music
• 1980s - Television
• 1980s - Film
• 1980s - Video Games
• 1980s - Others
• 1980s - People
• 1980s - Entertainers
• 1980s - Sports figures
• 1980s - Films
• 1980s - Television
• 1980s - Music

Read more here: » 1980s: Encyclopedia - 1980s

The Algerian War of Independence (1954–62) was a period of guerrilla strikes, maquis fighting, terrorism against civilians on both sides, and riots between the French army and colonists, or the "colons" as they were called, in Algeria and the FLN (Front de Libération Nationale) and other pro-independence Algerians. The struggle was touched off by the FLN in 1954, only two years before France gave up its control over Tunisia and Morocco. The FLN's main Algerian rival — with the same goal of Algerian independence — ...

Including:

• Algerian War of Independence - Beginning of Hostilities
• Algerian War of Independence - FLN
• Algerian War of Independence - Philippeville
• Algerian War of Independence - Conduct of the War
• Algerian War of Independence - Committee of Public Safety
• Algerian War of Independence - De Gaulle
• Algerian War of Independence - The Evian Accords
• Algerian War of Independence - The pieds-noirs' and harkis' exodus
• Algerian War of Independence - Pieds-noirs
• Algerian War of Independence - Harkis
• Algerian War of Independence - War dead
• Algerian War of Independence - Lasting effects in Algerian politics
• Algerian War of Independence - Reference

Read more here: » Algerian War of Independence: Encyclopedia - Algerian War of Independence

Pétain was a distinguished veteran of World War I and was hailed as a French hero. He was commanding the French forces at the start of the Battle of Verdun. The famous quotation "Ils ne passeront pas !" (They shall not pass!) is often attributed to him, though it is actually from Robert Nivelle, who was one of his chief assistants at that time. Due to his remarkable ability and high prestige, Pétain rose to be Commander-in-Chief of the French army during World War I, after the failed Nivelle Offensive and t ...

See also:

Philippe Pétain, Philippe Pétain - Early life, Philippe Pétain - World War I, Philippe Pétain - Between the wars, Philippe Pétain - World War II and Vichy France, Philippe Pétain - Post-war trial and legacy, Philippe Pétain - Lists of the successive Pétain governments until 1942, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's First Government 16 June - 12 July 1940, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Second Government 12 July - 6 September 1940, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Third Government 6 September 1940 - 25 February 1941, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Fourth Ministry 25 February - 12 August 1941, Philippe Pétain - Pétain's Fifth Government 12 August 1941 - 18 April 1942

Read more here: » Philippe Pétain: Encyclopedia II - Philippe Pétain - World War I

The Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) is the National Library of France. It is intended to be the repository of all that is published in France. Bibliothèque nationale de France - History. The National Library of France traces its origin to the royal library founded at the Louvre by Charles V in 1368. It expanded under Louis XIV and opened to the public in 1720. Following the series of regime changes in France, it became the Imperial National Library and in 1868 was moved to newl ...

Including:

• Bibliothèque nationale de France - History
• Bibliothèque nationale de France - New buildings
• Bibliothèque nationale de France - Mission

Read more here: » Bibliothèque nationale de France: Encyclopedia - Bibliothèque nationale de France

AEGEE, (French: Association des Etats Généraux des Etudiants de l’Europe), the European Students' Forum, is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary student organisations. It takes its name from the Aegean sea, one of the birthplaces of democracy, and from the first parliament established at the dawn of the French Revolution, the "Etats Généraux." AEGEE - Description. The association was established in 1985, and now has about 15 000 members in 204 university cities in 40 countries throughout E ...

Including:

• AEGEE - Description
• AEGEE - History
• AEGEE - Activities
• AEGEE - Active Citizenship
• AEGEE - Higher Education
• AEGEE - Peace and Stability
• AEGEE - Cultural Exchange

Read more here: » AEGEE: Encyclopedia - AEGEE

The École polytechnique (the "Polytechnic School"), often nicknamed X, is the foremost of the French Grandes écoles of engineering. Initially located in the Quartier Latin in central Paris, it was moved to the suburb Palaiseau in 1976. Its motto is Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire—"For the Nation, Sciences and Glory." Traditionally, a favored goal of the polythecniciens was to join the elite government bodies known as the grands corps techniques de l'État (X-Mines, ...

Including:

• École Polytechnique - Status
• École Polytechnique - Activities
• École Polytechnique - The Polytechnicien studies
• École Polytechnique - Introduction
• École Polytechnique - Admission
• École Polytechnique - Curriculum
• École Polytechnique - Ranking
• École Polytechnique - Tuition and financial obligations
• École Polytechnique - The Graduate School
• École Polytechnique - History
• École Polytechnique - Alumni

Read more here: » École Polytechnique: Encyclopedia - École Polytechnique

The Red Brigades (Brigate Rosse) are a militant group located in Italy. Formed in 1970, the Marxist BR seeked to create a revolutionary state through armed struggle and to separate Italy from the Western Alliance. In 1978, they kidnapped and killed Prime Minister Aldo Moro under obscure circumstances. With the discovery of Operation Gladio, following Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti's acknowledgment of its existence in 1990, the hypothesis of the strategia della tensione was reinforced. After 1984's scission, BR difficult ...

Including:

• Red Brigades - History
• Red Brigades - 1970 foundation
• Red Brigades - Aldo Moro's murder 1978
• Red Brigades - Kidnapping of James Dozier
• Red Brigades - BR splits into BR-PCC and BR-UCC
• Red Brigades - Amnesty in order to understand
• Red Brigades - Activities
• Red Brigades - Strength
• Red Brigades - Location/area of operation
• Red Brigades - External aid

Read more here: » Red Brigades: Encyclopedia - Red Brigades

The 20th century lasted from 1901 to 2000 in the Gregorian calendar. Common usage sometimes regards it as lasting from 1900 to 1999. The 20th century is also sometimes known as the nineteen hundreds (1900s). However, a number of arguments have been used to justify the common usage. One advanced by Stephen Jay Gould is that the first decade had only nine years, thus contradicting the definition of decade equaled 10 years. Another argument is that the astronomical year numbering system for years does have a year zero, the ...

Including:

• 20th century - Overview
• 20th century - Important developments events and achievements
• 20th century - Science and technology
• 20th century - Wars and politics
• 20th century - Culture and entertainment
• 20th century - Disease and medicine
• 20th century - Natural resources and the environment
• 20th century - Significant people
• 20th century - World leaders
• 20th century - Scientists
• 20th century - Humanities
• 20th century - Business
• 20th century - Aerospace pioneers
• 20th century - Spiritual figures
• 20th century - Artists
• 20th century - Music
• 20th century - Film
• 20th century - Writers and poets
• 20th century - Sports figures
• 20th century - Decades and years

Read more here: » 20th century: Encyclopedia - 20th century

General Charles André Joseph Marie De Gaulle (listen ▶ (help·info)) (November 22, 1890-November 9, 1970), in France commonly referred to as général De Gaulle or Le Général, was a French military leader and statesman. Prior to World War II he was mostly known as a tank tactician and an advocate of the concentrated use of armored and aviation forces. He was the leader of Free France in World War II and head of the provisional go ...

Including:

• Charles de Gaulle - 1890–1912: Formative years
• Charles de Gaulle - 1912–1940: Military career
• Charles de Gaulle - 1940–1945: The Free French Forces
• Charles de Gaulle - 1946–1958: The desert crossing
• Charles de Gaulle - 1958: The collapse of the Fourth Republic
• Charles de Gaulle - 1958–1962: Founding of the Fifth Republic
• Charles de Gaulle - 1962–1968 Politics of grandeur
• Charles de Gaulle - Thirty glorious years
• Charles de Gaulle - The fourth nuclear power
• Charles de Gaulle - China
• Charles de Gaulle - Second round
• Charles de Gaulle - The Six Day War
• Charles de Gaulle - Nigerian Civil War
• Charles de Gaulle - Vive le Québec Libre!
• Charles de Gaulle - No to Britain
• Charles de Gaulle - May 1968
• Charles de Gaulle - 1969 - Retirement
• Charles de Gaulle - 1970 - A humble death
• Charles de Gaulle - Private life
• Charles de Gaulle - Retrospect
• Charles de Gaulle - Footnote
• Charles de Gaulle - Works
• Charles de Gaulle - French editions
• Charles de Gaulle - English translations
• Charles de Gaulle - De Gaulle's Second Government 21 December 1945 - 26 January 1946
• Charles de Gaulle - De Gaulle's Third Ministry 9 June 1958 - 8 January 1959

Read more here: » Charles de Gaulle: Encyclopedia - Charles de Gaulle

Valéry Marie René Giscard d'Estaing, de l'Académie française (born February 2, 1926 in Koblenz, Germany) is a French center-right politician who was President of the French Republic from 1974 until 1981. His tenure as President was marked by his attempts to modernize his country and his office, notably launching such far-reaching infrastucture projects as the high-speed TGV train and France's reliance on nuclear power as its main energy source. However, the economic downturn that followed the end of the "thirty glorious yea ...

Including:

• Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - Biography
• Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - Presidency
• Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - Later career
• Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - European activities
• Valéry Giscard d'Estaing - Personal

Read more here: » Valéry Giscard d'Estaing: Encyclopedia - Valéry Giscard d'Estaing

Rainbow Warrior is the name of a series of ships operated by Greenpeace. The first ship was sunk by the French secret service (DGSE) in Auckland harbour, New Zealand, on 10 July 1985. The current ship using the name was launched in 1989. Rainbow Warrior - The first Rainbow Warrior. The first Rainbow Warrior, a craft of 40 metres and 418 tonnes, was originally the MAFF trawler Sir William Hardy, launched in 1955. She was acquired for £40,000 and was renovated over four months, th ...

Including:

• Rainbow Warrior - The first Rainbow Warrior
• Rainbow Warrior - The Bombing
• Rainbow Warrior - Rainbow Warrior in the arts
• Rainbow Warrior - The current Rainbow Warrior
• Rainbow Warrior - The name

Read more here: » Rainbow Warrior: Encyclopedia - Rainbow Warrior

Head of state or chief of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office which serves as the chief public representative of monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth or any other political state. His or her role generally includes personifying the continuity and legitimacy of the state and exercising the political powers, functions and duties granted ...

Including:

• Head of state - Constitutional models
• Head of state - Presidential system
• Head of state - Semi-presidential systems
• Head of state - Parliamentary system
• Head of state - Non-executive heads of state
• Head of state - Complications with categorisation
• Head of state - Roles of the head of state
• Head of state - Symbolic role
• Head of state - Chief diplomatic officer
• Head of state - Chief executive officer
• Head of state - Chief appointments officer
• Head of state - Legislative roles
• Head of state - Supreme commander of the military
• Head of state - Summoning and dissolving the legislature
• Head of state - Other prerogatives
• Head of state - Selection and various types and styles of Heads of state
• Head of state - Legitimacy & Term in office
• Head of state - Absent and Substitute heads of state
• Head of state - Theocratic Ecclesiastic and other Religious states
• Head of state - City states and crowned republics
• Head of state - Multiple or collective Heads of State
• Head of state - Curiosa and residual cases
• Head of state - Former heads of state

Read more here: » Head of state: Encyclopedia - Head of state

Vichy France, or the Vichy regime was the de facto French government of 1940-1944 during the Nazi Germany occupation of World War II. Now known in French as the Régime de Vichy or Vichy, during its existence it referred to itself as L'État Français (The French State). Vichy France was established after France surrendered to Germany in 1940, and took its name from the government's capital in Vichy, southeast of Paris near Clermont-Ferrand. While officially neutral in the war, it was essentia ...

Including:

• Vichy France - The fall of France and the establishment of the Vichy regime
• Vichy France - Decision to seek armistice
• Vichy France - Conditions of armistice
• Vichy France - Formal end of the Third Republic
• Vichy France - Vichy composition and policies
• Vichy France - Fascist paramilitaries
• Vichy France - Implementation of Nazi racial anti-Semitic laws
• Vichy France - Contribution of French fascists
• Vichy France - Relationships with the Allied powers
• Vichy France - Creation of Free France
• Vichy France - Tensions with Britain in Syria Madagascar
• Vichy France - German invasion November 1942
• Vichy France - Independence of the S.O.L
• Vichy France - Liberation of France and aftermath
• Vichy France - Bibliography

Read more here: » Vichy France: Encyclopedia - Vichy France