History of Europe

What were the months called during french reign of terror?

The months during the French Reign of Terror were renamed based on the principles and ideals of the French Revolution. Here is the Republican Calendar used between October 1793 and January 1806:

1. Vendémiaire (September 22 - October 21): The month of grapes.

2. Brumaire (October 22 - November 20): The month of fog.

3. Frimaire (November 21 - December 20): The month of frost.

4. Nivôse (December 21 - January 19): The month of snow.

5. Pluviôse (January 20 - February 18): The month of rain.

6. Ventôse (February 19 - March 20): The month of winds.

7. Germinal (March 21 - April 19): The month of germination.

8. Floréal (April 20 - May 19): The month of flowers.

9. Prairial (May 20 - June 18): The month of meadows.

10. Messidor (June 19 - July 18): The month of harvest.

11. Thermidor (July 19 - August 17): The month of heat.

12. Fructidor (August 18 - September 21): The month of fruits.

Each month had three weeks, called decades, each consisting of ten days. The days of the week were renamed as follows:

1. Primidi: First day of the decade

2. Duodi: Second day of the decade

3. Tridi: Third day of the decade

4. Quartidi: Fourth day of the decade

5. Quintidi: Fifth day of the decade

6. Sextidi: Sixth day of the decade

7. Septidi: Seventh day of the decade

8. Octidi: Eighth day of the decade

9. Nonidi: Ninth day of the decade

10. Décadi: Tenth day of the decade; day of rest

The Republican Calendar reflected the revolutionaries' desire to break with the past and create a new society based on reason and equality. It was eventually abandoned after Napoleon Bonaparte took power and restored the Gregorian calendar.

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