Appel du 18 juin 1940 War memorial

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Why do you think this square, here in Montparnasse, bears the name “Place du 18 juin 1940”? It’s not a date we readily associate with triumph. It marks the day France fell to Nazi Germany. While many saw it as the end, a defiant voice rose from the ashes. Right here in Paris, the Appel du 18 juin 1940 War memorial stands as a tribute to that voice, the voice of Charles de Gaulle. On June 18, 1940, with France teetering on the brink of collapse, General de Gaulle, a relatively unknown military figure, fled to London. He secured a precious opportunity to speak on BBC Radio, directly addressing the French people. His message was simple, powerful, and eternally etched in the soul of France: “The flame of French resistance must not and shall not be extinguished.” De Gaulle’s words, broadcast from a foreign land, ignited a spirit of defiance. The Appel du 18 juin 1940 War memorial is more than just stone and inscription. It embodies the unwavering spirit of resistance that pulsed through occupied France. It is a testament to the hope that flickered even in the darkest hours, a reminder that even in defeat, the fight for freedom continues.

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