France

Massacre of Protestants

Oct 28, 1572

1572 Massacre of Protestants in Paris on St. Bartholomew's Eve by Catholics. 200,000 Huguenots fled France

Louis XIII crowned

Sep 3, 1617

1617 Louis XIII crowned at the age of 17

Louis XIV

Sep 4, 1643

1643-1715
Louis XIV, the Sun King, reigns longer than any other French ruler. In this era, France gains power throughout Europe.

French Revolution

Jul 14, 1789

1789
On July 14, citizens storm the Bastille, a Paris prison. The French Revolution begins, eventually leading to end of the royal family's rule. Each year, France celebrates Bastille Day.

King Louis and Queen Marie-Antoinette

Jun 12, 1792

1792 King Louis and Queen Marie-Antoinette are executed and a republic set up in France

Napolean seizes France

May 5, 1799

1799 1799 - 1814: Napoleon seizes control of France and begins building a French empire

Napolean Bonaparte

Nov 2, 1804

1804
Military hero Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself emperor after leading France to victory over Europe's strongest nations. In 1815, Napoleon is finally defeated at Waterloo in Belgium.

WW1

Aug 25, 1914

1914-1918
France battles Germany in World War I.

WW2

Sep 3, 1939

1939 3 September: France and the United Kingdom declare war on Germany starting World War 2

Euros

Jan 30, 2002

2002
Euro bills and coins are introduced. The euro now is used for all transactions in 12 participating European Union countries