Charles de Gaulle

Charles de Gaulle was a French general and statesman. In the summer of 1940, after France’s defeat, he called on his compatriots from London to keep fighting and led Free France. After the liberation he headed the provisional government, and in 1958 he returned to power, introduced a new constitution and became the first president of the Fifth Republic (1959–1969). Under him France ended the war in Algeria.

Born in Lille, France, on 22 November 1890 at 04:00 local time: France adopted a single Paris time only in 1891. The hour is given in reference works citing the birth record; we have not seen the document itself.