#OTD 1 January 1769 Marie-Louise Lachapelle was born. She became head of obstetrics at the Hôtel-Dieu, the oldest hospital in Paris. She published textbooks about women's bodies, gynecology & obstetrics. Lachapelle is generally regarded as the mother of modern obstetrics.

André René Roussimoff (André the Giant) at 18, towering over a group of women, Paris, 1966. André had gigantism & grew to 7'4" tall. He became a famous wrestler & starred in classic Rob Reiner film, The Princess Bride.

Algerian legislators have declared France's colonization a crime, demanding restitution for property taken during its 130-year rule. France slammed the law as a “hostile act” threatening bilateral efforts to heal wounds of the past.

French President Emmanuel Macron issues a new statement defending Greenland's right to self-determination. He was one of several European leaders supporting Greenland's right to choose its own government even as US President Trump demands the country accept incorporation into the US.

Faith in the US amongst its allies is collapsing. The majority in Canada & pluralities in Germany & France, see the US as a negative force in the world. This comes as the Trump administration has threatened to invade its allies Denmark & Canada & called for breaking up the EU.

A strange fact about current French president Emmanuel Macron (who turned 48 today): he is the youngest member of his household. His only children are stepchildren, both older than him.

#OTD 21 December 1977 Emmanuel Macron was born. Alternating between civil service & investment banking, Macron won the presidency in the 2017 election. After Angela Merkel stepped down from her position as Chancellor of Germany many commentators see Macron as the leading figure in European politics

Troops of the Indian Legion of the Waffen-SS guarding the Atlantic Wall in Bordeaux, France, 21 March 1944. The Indian Legion was a military unit raised during WW2, intended to serve as a liberation force for British-ruled India.

Do you accept transgender women as women? 57% of French people say 'yes.' The highest is Finland at 76%. The lowest is Poland at 37%. Credits in image.

France currently ranks #26 out of around 190 countries for gun ownership with roughly 19.6 firearms per 100 people; roughly 1 gun for every 5 people. France has a very high rate of gun ownership, above the 15.9 per 100 average of the EU & more than any of its neighbors except Switzerland.

Which country produces the planes that European countries use? Most European countries rely on American tech, but as the US threatens to invade Denmark (Greenland) and Canada, European countries are increasingly collaborating on their own planes or buying French ones.

"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness." -Oscar Wilde. Perhaps fitting that Washington D.C., which was modelled after the Palace of Versailles, should have an Arch that is a knock-off of Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe.

Mass shootings (4+ victims) by country so far in 2025: France: 9 Germany: 3 Italy: 4 UK: 3 Australia: 2 Japan: 0 South Korea: 0 United States: 383

Haitians started the end of modern-day slavery when they overthrew the French. Haitians later supported Latin Americans in their revolutions when they banned slavery. Many non-white people banned slavery before Europeans. But Musk won't listen since he's an open white supremacist.

In France billionaires pay a lower percentage of their income than the poorest workers. Furthermore, billionaires in the US, Netherlands, Spain and Brazil pay much less than lawyers, doctors & other high-paid professionals.

153 countries voted to protect international aid workers from violence. The US was the only country to vote 'no.' The stated reason by the State Department is that it is a ploy to advance 'radical gender ideology.' You cannot make this shit up.

POV: A French person wins 'Game of the Year' at the Game Awards. (Congrats to French studio Sandfall Interactive for their masterpiece: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33!)

#OTD 12 December 2015 Leaders from nearly every country signed the Paris Accords, promising to limit greenhouse gas emissions to prevent the destruction of the enviroment through human-caused climate change. Since then no country has met its pledges, ensuring global devastation.

Breaking news: The Trump Administration plots to destroy the European Union & replace the G7 with a 'Core 5' that includes Russia & China. This is a stunning move away from free democracy & towards authoritarian dominance by the great powers.

Warning to French tourists to the US: US customs is poised to require French & other visitors to turn over their social media data to ensure visitors conform with the current administration's ideology. In March a French scientist working for CERN was denied entry for criticizing President Trump.

Honestly, French people would use any excuse to riot, it's what makes them wonderful.

For three years the countries of Europe & the US equally supported Ukraine. Since Trump became president the US has abandoned Europe, which now stands alone against Russia. Credit to Statista for the chart.

#OTD 9 December 1905 In France, a law separating church and state is passed.

On 5 December 2025, 116 countries voted to make 14 December 'International Day against Colonialism in All Its Forms and Manifestations.' Most former colonial countries (including France) abstained. Only the USA & Israel voted against a day to recognize the evils of colonialism.

#OTD 8 December 1955 The Flag of Europe is adopted by Council of Europe.

This gets shared all the time on social media: Belgium's government asked for a plant on their border as France and Belgium share the electricity production from it.

50% of French people consider Donald Trump an enemy of Europe while only 6% say 'friend'. Numbers vary across countries, though the trend is that Europeans are dramatically losing faith in American leadership.

Religious views in France. 51% are non-religious, 29% Catholic, 10% Muslim, 9% Other Christian (namely Protestant or Eastern Orthodox) and 1% Other.

The 'arresting presidents club' is what all the cool kids are part of.

At this rate he'll be a cake in no time!

How tolerant is your country? According to an Ipsos poll, 8% of French people identify as LGBTQ+, compared to 14% in Brazil and 11% in the US. At the bottom is Poland and South Korea at 5%.

Poking fun at the recent Louvre drama comes this funny and unique design. Get it on t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, phone cases or anything else at TeePublic today! www.teepublic.com/user/garygirod

"France’s government is taking action against billionaire Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok [which wrote] that gas chambers at the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp were designed for “disinfection with Zyklon B against typhus” rather than for mass murder — language long associated with Holocaust denial."

Alsace-Lorraine after the German annexation (1871)

I'm doing research for my next podcast episode and I think I broke Google's AI. It is shockingly easy to do.

Me earlier: Fallout is a ridiculous show. What company would cause a nuclear Holocaust just to ensure its control? Me watching the entire US stock market betting on AI eliminating the need for humans so oligarchs have total power: Oh...well fuck

New episode! Scholar Marie Robin investigates military brothels in the French empire. www.thefrenchhistorypodcast.com/sex-empire-c...

French President Emmanuel Macron greets Vice President Kamala Harris before ceremonies marking the 103rd anniversary of Armistice Day in Paris, 2021.

Happy Transgender Awareness Week! France has had many famous transgender persons from Rachilde, Coccinelle, Bambi and possibly the Chevalier d'Eon. Third gender or non-binary people have long histories going back to ancient cultures.

Happy Transgender Awareness Week! France has had many famous transgender persons from Rachilde, Coccinelle, Bambi and possibly the Chevalier d'Eon. Third gender or non-binary people have long histories going back to ancient cultures.

#OTD 13 November 2015 Islamic State operatives carried out a series of coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris, including suicide bombings, mass shootings and a hostage crisis. The terrorists killed 130 people, making it the deadliest attack in France since the Second World War.

Wealth vs. government policy. People in the UK and France are poorer than Americans but with government support they have far less real homelessness. Credit to Statista.

The Egyptian women's beach volleyball team vs Spain at the Paris Olympics, August 2024

#OTD 11 November 1918 hostilities ceased during World War I as the armistice set in for the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. World War I ultimately ended with a series of peace negotiations held in and around Paris. #ArmisticeDay

Parisians always know who's a tourist. They will never let you practice your French with them.