De Gaulle at the Barricades
This is a busy year for round-number anniversaries for France’s greatest leader since Napoleon: Charles de Gaulle was born 120 years ago, died 40 years ago, and delivered his celebrated call to resistance over the BBC 70 years ago. Yet another event in de Gaulle's illustrious career, 50 years ago, is equally deserving of commemoration, for it helped create the Fifth Republic.
LONDON – By coincidence, this is a busy year for round-number anniversaries for France’s greatest leader since Napoleon. Charles de Gaulle was born 120 years ago in Lille. He died 40 years ago at his home in Colombey-les-deux-Églises, expiring of a heart attack as he played solitaire one evening. Seventy years ago, he delivered his celebrated call to resistance over the BBC after flying to London from France as it collapsed in June 1940.
LONDON – By coincidence, this is a busy year for round-number anniversaries for France’s greatest leader since Napoleon. Charles de Gaulle was born 120 years ago in Lille. He died 40 years ago at his home in Colombey-les-deux-Églises, expiring of a heart attack as he played solitaire one evening. Seventy years ago, he delivered his celebrated call to resistance over the BBC after flying to London from France as it collapsed in June 1940.