Charles de Gaulle was born in Lille on November 22, 1890, and grew up in Paris, where his father was a teacher. De Gaulle chose a military career and served with distinction in World War One.
During the 1930s, he wrote books and articles on military subjects, criticizing France’s reliance on the Maginot Line for defense against Germany and advocating the formation of mechanized armored columns.
In June 1940, German forces easily overran France. As Undersecretary for National Defense and War, de Gaulle refused to accept the French government’s truce with the Germans and escaped to London, where he announced the formation of a French government in exile. He became the leader of the Free French.
After the liberation of Paris in August 1944, de Gaulle was given a hero’s welcome in the French capital.
In 1953, he withdrew into retirement again.
In 1958, a revolt in French-held Algeria, combined with serious instability within France, destroyed the Fourth Republic. De Gaulle returned to lead France once more.
Charles de Gaulle built the Fifth Republic and served as president from 1959 to 1969.
Charles de Gaulle resided at his estate Colombey-les-Deux-Églises when he retired; he passed away from a heart attack on November 9, 1970.
