18 Ventôse
An CCXXXIV
Republican calendar
In October 1793, the National Convention decided to introduce a republican calendar, which took the date of the Republic’s founding as its starting point and otherwise strictly followed nature and the seasons. The public administration was required to strictly adhere to the calendar. However, the new time system found little favor among the population. In particular, the abolition of the 7-day week in favor of the decade was unpopular: only every tenth day was now a rest day. Thus, the calendar did not last long and was later abolished by Emperor Napoleon. Many events of the Revolution are still associated with the Republican Calendar today. For example, the 9th Thermidor refers to the fall of Robespierre on July 27, 1794, and the 18th Brumaire refers to Napoleon’s coup d’état on November 9, 1799.
JK
1793 - 1805
- October 5, 1793 · The Convention, on the proposal of Gilbert Romme, decrees a new calendar system.
- November 24, 1793 · Final introduction of the Republican Calendar with the day and month names designed by Fabre d'Églantine.
- April 7, 1795 · The regulation introducing decimal time (10-hour day), implemented alongside the new calendar system, is suspended.
- 1798 · Through a series of ordinances and laws, the Directory enforces the use of the Republican Calendar in administrative and private spheres.
- July 26, 1800 · The Consulate confirms the Republican Calendar as mandatory for authorities, but citizens are free in private use.
- April 18, 1802 · Reintroduction of the 7-day week.
- September 9, 1805 · The Senate decrees the abolition of the Republican Calendar.
- December 31, 1805 · Last day of validity of the Republican Calendar.
Quotes
For the abolition of Sunday.
Rommes’s response to the question of what the new calendar was for, October 1793
This catalog of names was neither useful nor logical; it was a directory of lies, deception, and charlatanism.
Fabre d'Églantine on the justification for abolishing the old calendar system, October 1793
It is forbidden to use or refer to any date other than that of the Republican Calendar, under penalty imposed on the author, printer, or public official.
Article IV of the Law of 23 Fructidor VI (August 30, 1798)
Le Moniteur
Le 16 du premier mois
L'an IIe de la République Française
(October 7, 1793)
The months of winter
External links
