TERRE HAUTE — The bloody French Revolution lasted more than 10 years and, for a relatively brief period in French history, resulted in a new and different calendar. On Sept. 22, 1792, the French Legislative Assembly established a national Convention which immediately abolished the monarchy. This same day, which was also the autumnal solstice, was regarded as the first day of the first year of the new French republic.
This was reflected in the creation of a French Republican Calendar, also sometimes called the Revolutionary Calendar.
The goal of the new calendar was to create a new way of measuring time that was more aligned with a metric system. It was also designed to reflect reason and science rather than the church and the monarchy, which were considered to have been oppressive to the citizens of France. Mathematicians and poets were brought in to work on the new calendar.The actual calendar was adopted on Oct. 24, 1793. However, its start date went back retroactively to Sept. 22, 1792, considered Year One (I) of the Republic. Year I was established even though it was never used to date an event. Each successive year of the republic was designated by a Roman numeral.
The first day of each year was set at the autumnal solstice, even though this date was variable. There were still 12 months in the year, but they were not the months that we know. These new months were based on the seasons of the year and given names to reflect that: Vendémiaire “Vintage” (Sept. 22 - Oct. 21), Brumaire “Fog” (Oct. 22 - Nov. 20), Frimaire “Frost” (Nov. 21 - Dec. 20), Nivôse “Snowy” (Dec. 21 - Jan. 19), Pluviôse “Rainy” (Jan 20 - Feb. 18), Ventôse “Windy” (Feb. 19 - March 20), Germinal “Sprouting” (March 21 - April 19), Floréal “Flowery” (April 20 - May 19), Prairial “Pasture” (May 20 - June 18), Messidor “Harvest” (June 19 - July 18), Thermidor “Heat” (July 19 - Aug. 17), and Fructidor “Fruit” (Aug. 18 - Sept. 16).
Each month was exactly 30 days in length and consisted of three 10-day decades. The 7 days of the week were replaced with these 10 days of the decade: Primidi, Duodi, Tridi, Quastidi, Quintidi, Sextidi, Septidi, Octidi, Nonidi, Décadi (literally Oneday, Twoday, Threeday, Fourday, etc.). Each individual day of the year had a name, but instead of the saints’ days of the old Gregorian calendar, each day was named after an animal, plant, mineral, or tool. There were 365 or 366 days in the Republican Calendar. Since 12 months of 30 days resulted in only 360 days, the last 5 or 6 (in leap years) days of the year were days of celebration. These were named the celebrations of Virtue, Genius, Labor, Opinion, Rewards, and the Day of the Revolution (the leap day).
These calendar changes took place in France and all areas under French rule, including modern-day Belgium and Luxembourg, as wall as parts of the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. The Republican Calendar lasted from 1793 (Year II of the Republic) through 1805 (Year XIV of the Republic). It was used for recording all civil registrations and events in government records. I have run across this dating system when looking for online French birth, death, and marriage records.
This is what the dates look like. They are usually written out in French. Let’s take Christmas day, Dec. 25, 1800. Converted to the Republican Calendar this date is 4 Nivôse An IX, or “the 4th day of the Snowy month in the ninth year (of the Republic).” The name of the day would not be Christmas, but “soufre” (sulpher). If the Republican Calendar had continued until the present, today’s date would be 16 Ventôse An CCXVIII, or “the 16th day of the Windy month in the 218th year (of the Republic).” Convert any year at windhorst.org/calendar.
History
Geneaology: French Revolution briefly resulted in new, different calendar
- History
-
-
LOOKING BACK: 1962: Terre Haute Works of Allis-Chalmers closes
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
GENEALOGY: BMD website great for tracing England, Wales
If you have ancestors who trace back to England or Wales within the past 175 years, then the Free BMD website at RootsWeb, at freebmd.rootsweb.com/, is the place to visit.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: WBOW introduced some fine Valley talent
When it first began broadcasting in 1927, station WRPI (Rose Polytechnic Institute) focused on educational programing.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Inventor John B. Deeds and highwayman William G. Murray
Among the many unsolved local history mysteries is the fate of master machinist and inventor John B. Deeds.
-
BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: This little-known compromise may have saved the union
When the Constitution was signed in September of 1787 and sent to the Congress that then existed under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was instructed to send that Constitution to the states to be ratified … or not. The message to the states was clear: Accept the Constitution or reject it, but don’t try to change it.
-
Traveling Civil War exhibit makes history personal
Civil War history will come alive for visitors to the Sullivan County Public Library who experience “Faces of the Civil War,” a traveling exhibition created and managed by the Indiana Historical Society.
-
GENEALOGY: Virginia Historical Society takes on ambitious project
Over the past few months, the Virginia Historical Society has launched an ambitious project to scrutinize more than 8 million 17th, 18th, and 19th century documents in order to identify the enslaved population of those times.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: The Legacy of ‘The Old Silkworm House’
In 1837, and for several years thereafter, a gray sandstone obelisk was installed next to a one-story frame residence at the northwest corner of Sixth and Eagle streets.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: A blast from valentines past
Valentine’s Day — it brings to mind simple paper valentines and the elaborate, fancy store-bought cards with multiple verses and glittery covers.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1962: Flu outbreak forces Schulte closed
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
Original copy of 13th Amendment at Lincoln Library & Museum
A fully signed and recently restored copy of the Congressional resolution for a 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the official act that would abolish slavery in the United States, will be on display in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum’s Treasures Gallery.
-
BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Freedom of religion — beliefs and actions
Because religious faith is, arguably, the quintessential example of our right to privacy, to say nothing of its prominent place in our First Amendment, throughout our history court cases involving the free exercise of religion have been handled with great trepidation and with particular care. One of the milestone “free exercise” religion cases, Davis v. Beason, was decided by the Supreme Court this week (Feb. 3) in 1890.
-
GENEALOGY: SoCal Genealogical Jamboree coming up in June
The Southern California Genealogical Society announces its 43rd Annual Jamboree, to be staged for three days on June 8-10, at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport Hotel in Burbank, Calif.
-
LOOKING BACK: 2002: Disco Ernie featured on Maury
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Flashing the mayor's badge
This mayoral badge was presented to the Vigo County Historical Society by Elizabeth K. Schultz, the granddaughter of Samuel E. Beecher Sr., who served as mayor of Terre Haute from 1936 to 1940.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Deadly tornado devastates York in 1907
John T. Staff loved water and, particularly, the Wabash River.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Notorious Western desperado Ellsworth Wyatt captured in Clay County
In October 1892, Terre Haute police received a circular from the State of Kansas containing a description of Ellsworth Wyatt and offering a $1,200 reward for his capture.
-
LOOKING BACK: 2002: ISU students honor Martin Luther King Jr.
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: News letter filled with wonderful local news
We recently received five bound volumes of copies of the “Terre Haute Onizette,” the Owen-Illinois Glass Company news letter for the Terre Haute Plant.
-
GENEALOGY: Peyton, Downey, Fifer queries and a plea for help from Scotland
This week, we have several queries.
-
Extension plans seminar on land use
The Purdue Extension Land Use Team is hosting a video seminar titled “Welcome to the Plan Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals” from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
-
BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Kennedy, Camelot, and other myths
This week (Jan. 20) in 1961, John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as our 35th president, and his tragic death by assassination notwithstanding, his was a mediocre presidency that, undeservedly, became the stuff of legend — in part because of his assassination.
-
Actor to portray Lincoln at dinner for historical society
A special program, “And Lincoln Wrote,” is coming to Harlan Hall in Marshall, Ill., with a featured presentation by Dick Benach as Abraham Lincoln and Chuck Hand as the publisher of the Prairie Beacon.
-
GENEALOGY: Celebrate MLK Day with the Indiana Historical Society
On Monday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Indiana Historical Society will offer free admission to celebrate Martin Luther King Day.
-
HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Light Guards savor military and social experiences
Never during the Civil War was there a time when the City of Terre Haute was in danger of hosting an armed conflict involving one or more armies.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1962: 87 high school hoops teams compete in 47th annual Wabash Valley Tournament
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: A bottle of clove oil at the pharmacy
The Historical Treasure for today is a bottle of Clove Oil.
-
LOOKING BACK: 1987: St. Mary’s Parish congregation celebrates 150th anniversary
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
-
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Fire up the jukebox for a great night
The jukebox existed long before Glenn Miller’s “Juke Box Saturday Night” swing version.
-
GENEALOGY: 1752 is one memorable year for genealogists
The year 1752 is one to remember if you have ancestors who lived in areas controlled by Great Britain; and this includes the American colonies.
- More History Headlines
-
LOOKING BACK: 1962: Terre Haute Works of Allis-Chalmers closes
Raw Video: Biden Greets Chinese VP for Visit
Authorities: Houston Found Underwater in Tub
Whitney Houston Funeral to Be Invitation Only
Raw Video: Heavy Shelling in Homs, Syria
New Details in Search for Missing Utah Mom
Bacteria Keep Swimmers Off Some Fla. Beaches
Raw Video: 5 People Injured in Bangkok Blasts
Trial Opens for Ala. Man in Bride's Diving Death
Raw Video: Protesters, Security Clash in Bahrain
Raw Video: Kim Jong Il Statue Unveiled
Baltimore's 'Crime Stopper' Is a Basketball Star
Raw Video: Hearse Arrives at N.J. Funeral Home
Obama: Good US-China Ties Help the Whole World
Arm Wrestler Not Guilty Plea in Wife's Death
Raw Video: Houston Body Flown From L.A. to N.J.
School Pays Students to Attend Class
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
First Person: Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
Obama's Valentine's Advice: 'Go Big'
Raw Video: Whitney Houston's Last Performance
Kim K. Wet, Wild and Natural
Ultimate Tazer Ball is a Shocking New Sport
Shakira Attacked By Sea Lion
Modern day treasure hunter searching for $3 billion prize
What Happened Inside Whitney's Hotel Room?
Saying 'I Love You' With a Sewage Plant Tour
VS Models Wow for V-Day
Olympic Swimmer Proposes on Podium After Big Win
Kate Upton MLB 2K12 Commercial
Watch: Whitney Houston's Golden Hearse
Scarlett Johansson's Bikini P-D-A
Man Allegedly Drowns Wife While Scuba Diving
Glee Pays Tribute to Whitney
Wash. becomes 7th state to okay same-sex marriage
Romijn's 60 Pound Weight Loss
The 'Celebrity Apprentice' Cast Meets Donald Trump
Kissing contest heats up
Hugh Hefner's Son Arrested
Jacqueline Kennedy's personal papers released
Did Tyler Perry Have a Secret Wedding?
