It was on this day in 1944 during World War II that citizens of Paris began to rise up against the German occupiers. It took place as Allied armies were approaching the capital city of France, yet before even a single Allied soldier had actually reached Paris.
Police went on strike, then took over their own headquarters. They then raised the French tricolor, which was the first time in four years that happened. Meanwhile, Resistance fighters erected about 600 barricades all across the city, using whatever they could. That included cobblestone, trees, commercial carts, and anything else they could find. This turned parts of the city into certain war zones. They fought the Germans in this way, with whatever weapons they could find.
Sadly, a similar liberation effort in Warsaw led to that city being largely destroyed and razed to the ground. Indeed, German General Dietrich von Choltitz, the last German commander in charge of Paris during the occupation, had been ordered by Hitler to destroy Paris.
However, he became convinced that Hitler was insane and ultimately refused the order. Instead, he and the German forces surrendered on August 25th. As a result, Paris was saved from destruction.
Famously, General Charles de Gaulle, the de facto leader of the Free French from London during the Occupation, led a victory parade down the Champs-Élysées a little more than four years after the Germans had marched on the same avenue. De Gaulle was surrounded by resistance fighters and soldiers who had fought to liberate the city in the prior six days, beginning on August 19th. Thus, it can rightly be said that the city of Paris liberated itself first before the parade.
The Liberation celebrations, however, were legendary.
And it all began on this day 82 years ago.
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