On Tuesday, June 18th, starting at noon, the 73rd appeal of General De Gaulle will be commemorated at the square bearing his name in the presence of local authorities. 72 years ago, France was experiencing the darkest days of its history. On June 18, 1940, the French army no longer existed, the national territory was invaded and two-thirds occupied.
General de Gaulle, still unknown to the public, on a mission in London, not accepting defeat or humiliation, launched his historic appeal on the BBC radio waves, just after Marshal Pétain’s government admitted France’s defeat. He declared that the war was not over and called on the French to resist the German occupation with sacrifice and hope. That day, Free France was born.
To celebrate the 73rd anniversary of this historic appeal, Christian Estrosi, Deputy Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, Jehan-Eric Winckler, Sub-Prefect, Chief of Staff, representing the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes, and Eric Ciotti, Deputy, President of the General Council of Alpes-Maritimes, invite you to the national commemoration of General de Gaulle’s appeal.
Program:
Noon > Welcoming of dignitaries by Colonel Jean-Pierre Bedu, Departmental Military Delegate of Alpes-Maritimes.
12:05 PM > Beginning of the ceremony
– Raising of the flags,
– Historical evocation by Pierre Morissee, departmental delegate of the Fondation de la France Libre,
– Reading of the June 18th appeal by Hania Cassouls, winner of the departmental Resistance and Deportation contest,
– Broadcast of General de Gaulle’s radio message,
– Reading of the Minister’s message by Jehan-Eric Winckler representing the Prefect of Alpes-Maritimes,
– Laying of wreaths,
– Chant of the Partisans and the Marseillaise,
– Salute to the Troops, the Honor Guard, Flag Bearers, and the Music of the Nice Firefighters.
12:40 PM > End of the Ceremony.
