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1572 Massacre of Protestants in Paris on St. Bartholomew's Eve by Catholics. 200,000 Huguenots fled France
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1617 Louis XIII crowned at the age of 17
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1643-1715
Louis XIV, the Sun King, reigns longer than any other French ruler. In this era, France gains power throughout Europe. -
1789
On July 14, citizens storm the Bastille, a Paris prison. The French Revolution begins, eventually leading to end of the royal family's rule. Each year, France celebrates Bastille Day. -
1792 King Louis and Queen Marie-Antoinette are executed and a republic set up in France
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1799 1799 - 1814: Napoleon seizes control of France and begins building a French empire
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1804
Military hero Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself emperor after leading France to victory over Europe's strongest nations. In 1815, Napoleon is finally defeated at Waterloo in Belgium. -
1914-1918
France battles Germany in World War I. -
1939 3 September: France and the United Kingdom declare war on Germany starting World War 2
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2002
Euro bills and coins are introduced. The euro now is used for all transactions in 12 participating European Union countries
