But since I've moved to France, the day has another significance.
June 18th is known by the French as "L'Appel de de Gaulle". This is in reference to an extremely historic moment in French "modern" history - June 18, 1940. De Gaulle, having opposed the armistice that Petain had signed to make peace with the Germans after France fell to the Nazis, fled to London. He was the leader of the French Free Forces.
On this day in 1940 he gave a speech on the BBC radio, which agreed to let him talk. The speech is what began the French Resistance, something more legendary here than can possibly be appreciated through any films you might see about it. The speech rallied the French forces. Interestingly, apparently not many people heard the original broadcast, and he re-did his speech a few days later. But today was the original day.
It's pretty amazing to think about. Just like how I always think: "What if Wolfe hadn't beat Montcalm in Quebec City in the 1750's?" Canada would still be La Nouvelle France. Having seen the bombed out villages and towns in the northern part of the country that took the brunt of the German invasion, it is striking. Hard to imagine what it was like for the people living there during those times.
Below is some kind of flyer or poster that he had distributed in England, trying to get the Resistance movement started and encourage French soldiers and engineers, etc to go back and fight.
For you history buffs, here's the transcript of the speech, which really is quite short. Frankly I think it is pretty impressive stuff.
On June 18, 1940, at 19:00, de Gaulle's voice was broadcast nationwide, saying:
"The leaders who, for many years, were at the head of French armies, have formed a government. This government, alleging our armies to be undone, agreed with the enemy to stop fighting. Of course, we were subdued by the mechanical, ground and air forces of the enemy. Infinitely more than their number, it was the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans which made us retreat. It was the tanks, the airplanes, the tactics of the Germans that surprised our leaders to the point to bring them there where they are today.
"But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No!
"Believe me, I speak to you with full knowledge of the facts and tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us to a day of victory. For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire that holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use without limit the immense industry of the United States.
"This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not finished by the Battle of France. This war is a worldwide war. All the faults, all the delays, all the suffering, do not prevent there to be, in the world, all the necessary means to one day crush our enemies. Vanquished today by mechanical force, we will be able to overcome in the future by a superior mechanical force.
"The destiny of the world is here. I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and the French soldiers who are located in British territory or who would come there, with their weapons or without their weapons, I invite the engineers and the special workers of armament industries who are located in British territory or who would come there, to put themselves in contact with me.
"Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished."
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