Paris

The Storming of the Bastille was a major event that occurred on July 14, 1789, during the French Revolution. The medieval fortress, armory, and political prison in Paris known as the Bastille represented royal authority in the centre of Paris. The storming and subsequent fall of the Bastille was seen as a symbol of the end of the king's absolute power and the birth of the people's sovereignty. This event is celebrated annually in France as the national holiday known as Bastille Day.

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris, France, and is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. It was constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the entrance arch for the 1889 World's Fair and was initially criticized by some of France's leading artists and intellectuals for its design. However, it has since become a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower was opened on March 31, 1889.

The Dreyfus Affair was a political scandal that divided the Third French Republic from 1894 until its resolution in 1906. The affair began in 1894 with the wrongful conviction of Alfred Dreyfus, a French Army captain of Jewish descent, for treason. The case exposed antisemitism in France and led to widespread debate about injustice and government corruption. The scandal deeply divided the nation and had profound effects on French politics and society, leading to various reforms in civil liberties and the re-examination of evidence used in trials.

The Exposition Universelle of 1900 was an international world's fair held in Paris, France, from April 14 to November 12, to celebrate the achievements of the past century and to accelerate development into the next. It was visited by nearly 48 million people and displayed many new innovations in science and technology. The exposition is remembered for showcasing Art Nouveau style and significant exhibits like the moving sidewalk and the diesel engine. It also marked the first appearances of talking films and escalators.

The Liberation of Paris during World War II was a military action that took place from August 19, 1944, until the German garrison surrendered the French capital on August 25. It marked the liberation of Paris from four years of Nazi occupation. General Charles de Gaulle and the French Resistance played significant roles in the liberation, which was also aided by the Allied forces. The liberation of Paris was a significant moment in the liberation of France from Nazi occupation and marked the beginning of the end of the war in Europe.

The Festival d'Avignon, also known as Avignon Festival, is an annual arts festival held in Avignon, France, each July. Although this event takes place in Avignon, Paris plays a vital role as the heart of French culture. Founded in 1947 by theatre director Jean Vilar, it is today one of the most important contemporary performing arts events in the world. The festival includes a rich program of theatrical performances, installations, readings, and more, featuring both known and emerging artists.

Paul Celan was a Romanian-born German-language poet and translator. He was born as Paul Pessach Antschel to a Jewish family, and his works are renowned for their profound as well as complex expressions of trauma, existential despair, and hope. He is often regarded as one of the most important European poets of his generation. Paul Celan lived in Paris from the 1950s until his death on April 10, 1970, which is believed to be by suicide. His poetry has had a lasting impact on post-World War II literature and thought.

François Mitterrand was elected President of France on May 10, 1981, becoming the first member of the Socialist Party to hold the office under the Fifth Republic. He served as President until 1995, making him the longest-serving French president in history. His presidency marked significant social reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty, and a greater role for the state in the economy. His election and policies also significantly influenced Paris as the capital city in terms of cultural policy and urban development.

The death of Diana, Princess of Wales, occurred on August 31, 1997, due to a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris. The event shocked the world and led to an outpouring of public grief. Princess Diana was renowned for her charitable work and her glamorous public image. Her death led to numerous investigations and reports as well as considerable criticism of the press and paparazzi who pursued her car. Diana's impact on modern celebrity culture and global charity efforts remains substantial.

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on December 12, 2015. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, preferably to 1.5, compared to pre-industrial levels. The agreement is a landmark in the multilateral climate process because it is the first time a binding agreement brings all nations into a common cause to undertake ambitious efforts to combat climate change and adapt to its effects. The event marked a new era of international cooperation on environmental issues.