(Eingeschränkte Rechte für bestimmte redaktionelle Kunden in Deutschland. Limited rights for specific editorial clients in Germany.) Poincaré, Raymond *20.08.1860-15.10.1934+Politiker, Ministerpraesident, Frankreich1913-1920 Praesident der Republik- Portrait am Schreibtisch- undatiert (um 1920) (Photo by ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

On This Day In History: The Liberation of Paris

French Marshal and Vichy leader Henri-Philippe Petain (1856 - 1951, left) and Nazi leader Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945, right) share the famous 'handshake at Montoire' while interpreter Colonel Schmidt watches, October 1940. Thus Petain announces officially that Vichy-France is prepared to collaborate with the German Reich.

PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 31: The Eiffel Tower is seen before the lights are switched off for Earth Hour 2012, on March 31, 2012 in Paris, France. According to organisers the biggest ever Earth Hour has participants including individuals, companies and landmarks in 147 countries and over 5,000 cities, agreeing to switch off their lights for one hour at 8:30pm. The Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Big Ben Clock Tower in London, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro and the Empire State Building in New York are among the monuments whose operators have agreed to participate in the demonstration. (Photo by Antoine Antoniol/Getty Images)

French History

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Immigration, the movement of people living in one country into another country, is a fundamental aspect of human history, though it was as controversial hundreds of years ago as it is today.

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The Renaissance, a vibrant period of European cultural, artistic, political and scientific “rebirth” after the Middle Ages, was led by people including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Machiavelli and the Medici family.

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World War II was the biggest and deadliest war in history, involving more than 30 countries. Sparked by the 1939 Nazi invasion of Poland, the war dragged on for six bloody years until the Allies defeated the Axis powers of Nazi Germany, Japan and Italy in 1945. Explore the battles, leaders and atrocities from the war and its impact on geopolitics and humankind.

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The Royal Mistress: Often the Most Powerful Person in a King’s Court

Why Royal Women Gave Birth in Front of Huge Crowds for Centuries

The Notre-Dame Cathedral Was Nearly Destroyed By French Revolutionary Mobs

The French Resistance’s Secret Weapon? The Mime Marcel Marceau

This Day in History

France to surrender to Nazis

Paris is liberated after four years of Nazi occupation

Dreyfus affair begins in France

Vichy leader executed for treason

Marie Antoinette is beheaded

Charles de Gaulle resigns as leader of France