Docendo Discimus
In the shadows of World War II, the Tulle Massacre stands as a harrowing testament to the brutalities inflicted by the Nazi regime upon occupied France. On June 9, 1944, the quiet town of Tulle in the Corrèze department was thrust into a nightmare orchestrated by the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich." This article... Continue Reading →
In the annals of French history, few events have been as pivotal and contentious as the execution of King Louis XVI. His reign, marked by a maelstrom of socio-political upheavals, culminated in a dramatic climax that forever altered the course of the nation. This article delves into the life of King Louis XVI, the tempestuous... Continue Reading →
The scuttling of the French Fleet at Toulon on November 27, 1942, remains a defining moment in World War II, reflecting the complex allegiances and strategic decisions of the time. This event's background is rooted in the early stages of the war, particularly after France's capitulation to Nazi Germany in June 1940. The subsequent establishment... Continue Reading →
As a symbol of the Ancien Régime's excess and the widespread discontent in pre-revolutionary France, Marie Antoinette's life and tragic end have become emblematic of a transformative period in French history. Let's delve into the tumultuous events surrounding the last Queen of France. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian archduchess, was married to the future King Louis... Continue Reading →
Amidst the pantheon of heroes in the American Revolutionary War, few non-Americans are as celebrated as Gilbert du Motier, better known as the Marquis de Lafayette. His contributions to the American and French revolutions positioned him as a figure of immense importance in the histories of both nations. Born on September 6, 1757 to a... Continue Reading →
Today, we'll embark on an exploration of the life of a king who ruled during one of France's most tumultuous periods: King Louis XVI. Born on August 23, 1754, his reign would intersect with the powerful forces of revolution, ultimately shaping the course of European history. Louis-Auguste, as he was originally named, was born into... Continue Reading →
Amidst the glittering courts of 18th-century France, few figures rose as meteorically and fell as tragically as Madame du Barry. A woman of unparalleled beauty, wit, and charm, she not only enchanted King Louis XV but also found herself enmeshed in a web of courtly intrigues, rivalries, and eventually, the deadly gears of the French... Continue Reading →
The events at the Tuileries Palace on August 10, 1792, marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and led to the fall of the French monarchy. On that day, a large and angry mob of revolutionary insurgents stormed the Tuileries Palace in Paris, where King Louis XVI and his family were residing, and overthrew... Continue Reading →
The Battle of Ushant, also known as the First Battle of Ushant, took place on July 27, 1778, during the American Revolutionary War. It was a naval engagement between the British Royal Navy and the French Navy off the coast of Ushant, an island located in the English Channel, near the western tip of Brittany,... Continue Reading →
The storming of the Bastille, which took place on July 14, 1789, was a pivotal event during the French Revolution. 1. Background: The Bastille was a fortress and prison located in Paris, France. It had become a symbol of royal authority and tyranny, representing the oppressive monarchy and its abuse of power. The political and... Continue Reading →
Today on January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI of France was pubically beheaded by guillotine in the Place de la Revolution in Paris. Source: King Louis XVI of France Executed | History On This Day
After the Notre-Dame de Reims sustained heavy damage, it took years for the country to decide how to repair the destruction Source: The Shelling and Rebuilding of Notre-Dame de Reims | History | Smithsonian For nearly a millennium, the French city of Reims was synonymous with its towering Gothic cathedral known as Notre-Dame. Not to... Continue Reading →
Voltaire, pseudonym of François-Marie Arouet, (born November 21, 1694, Paris, France—died May 30, 1778, Paris), one of the greatest of all French writers. Although only a few of his works are still read, he continues to be held in worldwide repute as a courageous crusader against tyranny, bigotry, and cruelty. Through its critical capacity, wit, and satire, Voltaire’s work vigorously propagates an ideal of progress... Continue Reading →
Charles X, also called (until 1824) Charles-Philippe, comte d’Artois, byname (1795–1824) Monsieur, (born October 9, 1757, Versailles, France—died November 6, 1836, Görz, Austrian Empire [now Gorizia, Italy]), king of France from 1824 to 1830. His reign dramatized the failure of the Bourbons, after their restoration, to reconcile the tradition of the monarchy by divine right with the democratic spirit produced in the wake of the French Revolution. The... Continue Reading →
Dave Does History 