November 1st Through History

Explanation: The "Red All Saints' Day" marks the beginning of the Algerian War of Independence with coordinated attacks carried out by the FLN (National Liberation Front). This conflict lasted eight years, until the Évian Accords in 1962, which recognized Algerian independence.

Explanation: The Maastricht Treaty, signed on February 7, 1992, transformed the European Economic Community (EEC) into the European Union. It also laid the foundations for the euro, the single European currency adopted in 2002 by the member countries of the eurozone.

Explanation: Giulio Gavotti dropped four 2 kg grenades by hand on Ottoman positions in Libya during the Italo-Turkish War. This pioneering act opened a new era in modern warfare, even though the military impact was virtually zero at the time.

Explanation: Philip II Augustus, crowned at just 14 years old by his uncle Archbishop William of the White Hands, would become one of the most powerful kings of France. He doubled the royal territory and distinguished himself at the Battle of Bouvines in 1214.

Explanation: The Lisbon earthquake, which struck on All Saints' Day while residents were at mass, was followed by a tsunami and fires. It deeply shook European thought and inspired Voltaire to write his poem on the disaster and later Candide, calling philosophical optimism into question.

Explanation: Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, became Philip V of Spain, founding the Spanish branch of the Bourbons. The War of the Spanish Succession that followed involved the major European powers and concluded with the Treaties of Utrecht in 1713.

Explanation: ABBA gets its name from the initials of its four members: Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. The group achieved worldwide fame with their victory at Eurovision in 1974 thanks to the song Waterloo, and remains one of the best-selling groups of all time.

Explanation: All Saints honors all saints, canonized or not. Its date of November 1st was set in the 9th century by Pope Gregory IV to unify a feast that was celebrated on various dates depending on the region. The following day, November 2nd, is dedicated to the commemoration of the faithful departed.

Explanation: Juventus of Turin, founded by young Piedmontese high school students, is today the most decorated Italian club, with more than 36 national championships. Nicknamed the "Old Lady", it has counted legendary players among its ranks, such as Michel Platini, Zinédine Zidane, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Explanation: Nicolas Boileau, nicknamed "the legislator of Parnassus", published L'Art poétique in 1674, a verse treatise that established the rules of French classicism. A friend of Molière, Racine and La Fontaine, he had a considerable influence on the literature of the XVIIth century and beyond.