The Appeal of 18 June was a speech by Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French Forces, in 1940. The appeal is often considered to be the origin of the French Resistance to the German occupation during World War II. De Gaulle spoke to the French people from London after the fall of France. He declared that the war for France was not yet over, and rallied the country in support of the Resistance. It is regarded as one of the most important speeches in French history.
“France has lost a battle, but France has not lost the war.”
Charles de Gaulle Appeal of 18 June
La France a perdu une bataille, mais la France n'a pas perdu la guerre.
Poster À tous les Français (To All Frenchmen), August 1940.
À tous les Français was designed and displayed in London to accompany the Appel du 18 juin (Appeal of 18 June) following defeat at the Battle of France. The pair are considered to be the founding texts of the Résistance.
World War II
