On this Date in 1981...

...Assemblée Nationale votes to abolish capital punishment in France.  Apparently, they were tired of protesters throwing rocks at the capital building.

On this Date in 1816...

...Louis XVIII has to dissolve the Chambre introuvable ("Unobtainable Chamber").  The process took longer than expected, however, since he was unable to reach it for quite some time.

On this Date in 1914...

...World War I: the German colony of Togoland is invaded by French and British forces, who take it after 5 days.  It was a rather easy operation as the Germans had decided to start wearing bedsheets instead of their normal uniforms, in honor of the area they were occupying.

On this Date in 1960...

...the Central African Republic declares independence from France.  France promptly surrenders, to which the Central African Republic responds, "But, we don't want your country.  Just this one.  Thanks anyway."

On this Date in 1807...

...the Treaties of Tilsit are signed by Napoleon I of France and Alexander I of Russia.  The treaties were only enforceable as long as both parties were standing.

On this Date in 1973...

...a Soviet supersonic Tupolev Tu-144 crashes near Goussainville, France, killing 14, the first crash of a supersonic passenger aircraft.  There was a delay in the report of the crash since locals did not hear it until a week after it happened.

On this Date in 1904...

...The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is founded in Paris.  Which is interesting since it was losted a year earlier in Germany.

On this Date in 1509...

...Battle of Agnadello: In northern Italy, French forces defeat the Venetians.  In their defense, the Venetians couldn't see very well.

On this Date in 1779...

...Russian and French mediators negotiated the Treaty of Teschen to end the War of the Bavarian Succession.  They decided to setup a puppet government with a cream pie.

On this Date in 1493...

...Pope Alexander VI divides the New World between Spain and Portugal along the Line of Demarcation.  France and England look on in amusement.

On this Date in 1429...

...Joan of Arc arrives to relieve the Siege of Orleans.  Apparently, they really had to pee.

On this Date in 1889...

...the Eiffel Tower is inaugurated.  Apparently the French let anything run for President.

On this Date in 1560...

...the Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation of Scotland.  Apparently, even the Scots couldn't stand the smell of the French.  And that's saying something.

On this Date in 1814...

...War of the Sixth Coalition: The Battle of Mormans.  That's right, they used special powers granted to them by their special underwear to go back in time to fight Napoleon Bonaparte, prior to the founding of their religion.  It was just something they felt they were called to do by the golden plates.

On this Date in 1960...

...with the success of a nuclear test codenamed "Gerboise Bleue", France becomes the fourth country to possess nuclear weapons.  They promptly surrender until they realized that is was they that set it off, at which point they simply saunter away whistling nonchalantly.

On this Date in 1962...

...French President Charles De Gaulle calls for Algeria to be granted independence.  The gaulle of some people.

On this Date in 1793...

,,,France declares war on the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.  Because that was the fashionable thing to do that year.

On this Date in 1951...

...Nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site begins with a one-kiloton bomb dropped on Frenchman Flat.  France, upon hearing the news, immediately surrenders.