Timeline of Major Events

1890 - November 22: Charles de Gaulle born in Lille

1912 - October: Graduates from Saint-Cyr military academy

1914-1918 - World War I service; wounded three times, prisoner of war

1921 - April 7: Marries Yvonne Vendroux

1934 - Publication of "Vers l'armée de métier"

1940 - June 18: BBC appeal launching Free France - June 28: British recognition of de Gaulle

1943 - June 3: French Committee of National Liberation formed

1944 - August 25: Liberation of Paris - October 23: Allied recognition of provisional government

1946 - January 20: Resigns as head of provisional government

1947 - April 7: Launches Rally of the French People (RPF)

1958 - June 1: Becomes last Prime Minister of Fourth Republic - September 28: Constitution of Fifth Republic approved - December 21: Elected President of the Republic

1960 - February 13: First French atomic bomb test - January 24-February 1: "Barricades Week" in Algiers

1961 - April 21-26: Generals' putsch in Algiers

1962 - March 18: Évian Accords ending Algerian War - July 3: Algerian independence - October 28: Direct presidential election approved

1963 - January 14: Vetoes British EEC membership - January 22: Franco-German Treaty

1964 - January 27: Recognition of People's Republic of China

1965 - December 19: Reelected president in runoff

1966 - March 7: France withdraws from NATO integrated command - September 1: Phnom Penh speech on Vietnam

1967 - July 24: "Vive le Québec libre!" speech - November 27: Vetoes British EEC membership again

1968 - May-June: Student and worker uprising - June 30: Legislative elections, Gaullist triumph

1969 - April 27: Referendum defeat - April 28: Resignation

1970 - November 9: Dies at Colombey-les-Deux-Églises

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