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=== | ===History of the Calendar=== | ||
The French Republican calendar (also known as the Revolutionary calendar) was introduced during the French Revolution to replace the Gregorian calendar and begin a new era. The calendar was based on scientific rather than Christian principles. | The French Republican calendar (also known as the Revolutionary calendar) was introduced during the French Revolution to replace the Gregorian calendar and begin a new era. The calendar was based on scientific rather than Christian principles. | ||
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This calendar was used for twelve years, from 24 October 1793 to 31 December 1805. (An attempt was made in 1871 to reinstate it, but this attempt failed.) It was used for civil registration records, notarial records, and other government records throughout France and other areas under French rule, including modern Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. It also affected records in other areas ruled by the French government, such as Egypt, Malta, Reunion, Louisiana, Guiana, and some Caribbean islands. | This calendar was used for twelve years, from 24 October 1793 to 31 December 1805. (An attempt was made in 1871 to reinstate it, but this attempt failed.) It was used for civil registration records, notarial records, and other government records throughout France and other areas under French rule, including modern Belgium, Luxembourg, and parts of the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy. It also affected records in other areas ruled by the French government, such as Egypt, Malta, Reunion, Louisiana, Guiana, and some Caribbean islands. | ||
=== | ===Principles of the New Calendar=== | ||
Each year began on the autumn equinox, and the years were counted from the founding of the French Republic on 22 September 1792. | Each year began on the autumn equinox, and the years were counted from the founding of the French Republic on 22 September 1792. | ||
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Every four years, beginning with the third year of the Republic, an extra complementary day was added. (Days were added to years 3, 7, 11, and so forth.) During this period, the standard calendar had only two leap years (in 1796 and 1804). | Every four years, beginning with the third year of the Republic, an extra complementary day was added. (Days were added to years 3, 7, 11, and so forth.) During this period, the standard calendar had only two leap years (in 1796 and 1804). | ||
=== | ===The Months=== | ||
The twelve months of the French Republican calendar were based on the natural events of the seasons of the year. They do not correspond to the standard months of January through December. | The twelve months of the French Republican calendar were based on the natural events of the seasons of the year. They do not correspond to the standard months of January through December. | ||
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=== Months of the French Republican Calendar === | === Months of the French Republican Calendar === | ||
=== Autumn Months | ====Autumn Months==== | ||
{| | {| width="100%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''English''' | | '''English''' | ||
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| '''Dutch''' | | '''Dutch''' | ||
| '''Italian''' | | '''Italian''' | ||
| ''' | | '''Latin''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| grape harvest | | grape harvest | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Winter months | ====Winter months==== | ||
{| | {| width="100%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| snow | | snow | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Spring months | ====Spring months==== | ||
{| | {| width="100%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| germination | | germination | ||
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|} | |} | ||
=== Summer months | ====Summer months==== | ||
{| | {| width="100%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| harvest | | harvest | ||
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|} | |} | ||
* Occasionally, the name Fervidor(heat) was used for Thermidor. | |||
=== Complementary or Feast Days === | === Complementary or Feast Days === | ||
{| | {| width="100%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| '''English''' | | '''English''' | ||
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* Only used in leap years | * Only used in leap years | ||
=== | ===Complementary Days=== | ||
The extra days at the end of the year were called jours complémentaires (complementary days or holidays) or jours-sansculottides (days of the revolutionaries). The complementary days were feast days and each had a name. The above chart shows the names in each language where the calendar was used. | The extra days at the end of the year were called jours complémentaires (complementary days or holidays) or jours-sansculottides (days of the revolutionaries). The complementary days were feast days and each had a name. The above chart shows the names in each language where the calendar was used. | ||
=== | ===How Dates were Recorded=== | ||
Dates were usually written out in French or the local language. For example: | Dates were usually written out in French or the local language. For example: | ||
Le treizième jour du mois de Pluviôse l’an sept de la République Française (The 13th of Pluviose in the seventh year of the French Republic). | * Le treizième jour du mois de Pluviôse l’an sept de la République Française (The 13th of Pluviose in the seventh year of the French Republic). | ||
The years of the Republic were often designated by Roman numerals. For example: | The years of the Republic were often designated by Roman numerals. For example: | ||
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* Example: the third complementary day of the ninth year of the French Republic. | * Example: the third complementary day of the ninth year of the French Republic. | ||
=== | ===How to Calculate the Standard Date for a French Republican Date=== | ||
Four calendars are on the following pages. Each calendar has the French Republican months across the top, and thirty days on the left-hand column. | Four calendars are on the following pages. Each calendar has the French Republican months across the top, and thirty days on the left-hand column. | ||
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Paper publication: First Edition, Feb. 1991. | Paper publication: First Edition, Feb. 1991. | ||
[[Category:France]] | |||