20 Vendémiaire
An CCXXXV
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 of Thermidor refers to the fall of Robespierre on July 27, 1794, and the 18th of Brumaire refers to Napoleon’s coup d’état on November 9, 1799.
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 · Following the coup of 18 Fructidor, Year V, the Directory attempts to enforce observance of the republican calendar even in everyday life through drastic measures. Various laws and regulations are subsequently introduced for this purpose.
- April 3, 1798 · Decree of the Directory making the republican calendar mandatory in administration and the judiciary, fairs and markets, exchanges, theatres, the postal service, fixed-term leases, newspapers and other periodical publications.
- August 4, 1798 · Law establishing Décadi as a general day of rest. Shops and workshops must remain closed on Décadis.
- August 30, 1798 · Law on marriage ceremonies. Weddings must take place on a Décadi.
- September 9, 1798 · Law requiring strict observance of the republican calendar. Other dating systems are prohibited, and their use is punishable.
- 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 with the traditional day names from Monday to Sunday. The months and years continue to be counted according to the republican calendar.
- 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
The months of autumn
External links
