Photographs Copyright © Martin Edwards 2003

PRESIDENT CHARLES DE GAULLE
1890 - 1970

Charles de Gaulle (1890–1970) was a Brigadier General at the time of the French defeat in 1940. He left for England where, on June 18, he broadcast his famous call for resistance to the German occupation of France. As 'leader of the Free French', De Gaulle organized France's contribution to allied victory and headed the provisional government from 1944 to 1946. When he returned to power on June 1, 1958, the adoption of a new constitution established the Fifth Republic, of which he was first President until his resignation in 1969.

10 July 2003