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Articles on French history

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The late Yvonne Fox dressed as legendary pitchforked Welshwoman, Jemima Nicholas. Nancy Hoyt Belcher/Alamy

The last invasion of Britain wasn’t in 1066

The last invasion of Britain involved bungled military plans, sozzled soldiers and a legendary Welshwoman wielding a pitchfork.
French Education and Youth Minister Pap Ndiaye speaks during a press conference following a weekly cabinet meeting at the Elysée Palace in Paris on June 14, 2022. Ludovic Marin/AFP

Appointment of Pap Ndiaye as education minister highlights ‘woke’ debate in France

Considered a pioneer of “Black Studies à la française”, Ndiaye’s appointment comes at a time when issues in race and gender have divided the French political class and public opinion.
The Fête de la Fédération at Champ de Mars on July 14, 1790. Woodcut by Helman, from a picture by C. Monet, Painter of the King. Bibliothèque nationale de France

What is Bastille Day and why is it celebrated?

The French celebrate Quatorze Juillet, not Bastille Day. In fact, the English-language name hides much of the surprisingly complex history of the day.

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