1870		Franco-Prussian War starts.
1871		Franco-Prussian War ends with the defeat of France.
August 1914		Germany invades France at the start of World War I.
11 November 1918		German surrender ends World War I.
3 September 1939		After German invasion of Poland, France declares war on Germany - start of World War II.
10 May 1940		Germany invades France.
23 June 1940		France surrenders in return for some control of domestic affairs - Vichy government created.
1940		Free French forces established in Britain.
7 November 1942		Operation Torch - Allied invasion of French North Africa begins.
27 November 1942		Vichy government replaced by German direct rule.
6 June 1944		Operation Overlord - Allied invasion of Normandy begins.
25 August 1944		Paris liberated from German occupation.
May 1945		Germany surrenders - end of World War II in Europe.
1945-1954		France tries to re-establish control of Indochina.
1951		France joins NATO.
1956		Britain and France invade Egypt in Suez Campaign.
1953		Greenland becomes integral part of France.
1 November 1954		Algerian War of Independence begins.
1962		Algeria given independence from France.