Ten Decades of Birthdates - France Quiz

Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) was born in Dole, France. He is best known for developing the process of pasteurization, which kills harmful microbes in food and drinks, making them safer to consume. He also created vaccines for diseases such as rabies and anthrax, helping to save countless lives. Pasteur's work in germ theory showed that microorganisms cause many diseases, changing the way doctors understood infection and leading to better hygiene practices.

Gustave Eiffel (1832-1923) was born in Dijon, France. He was best known for designing the Eiffel Tower, possibly the most famous landmark in the world. Before creating the tower for the 1889 Exposition Universelle (World's Fair) in Paris, Eiffel built a strong reputation for his work on bridges and large metal structures.

He also contributed to the design of the Statue of Liberty's internal framework.

Claude Monet (1840-1926) was born in Paris, France. He was best known for founding the Impressionist movement and for his paintings that captured the changing effects of light and color. Monet's work, including "Impression, Sunrise" (1872), gave Impressionism its name and helped break away from traditional artistic styles.

He is also famous for his "Water Lilies" series, which he painted at his home in Giverny. Monet's focus on natural scenes and his loose brushwork influenced generations of artists.

Claude Debussy (1862-1918) was born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France. His innovative compositions helped transform classical music at the turn of the 20th century. Debussy's works, including "Clair de Lune" and "Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune," introduced new ideas about harmony, tone, and musical structure. Often linked to Impressionism (though he rejected the label) Debussy focused on creating mood and atmosphere rather than following traditional forms.

Coco Chanel (1883-1971) was born in Saumur, France. She rose to international fame as a fashion designer who revolutionized women's clothing. Chanel is credited with popularizing a more casual, elegant style that replaced the restrictive fashions of the early 1900s.

She introduced timeless pieces like the little black dress and the Chanel No. 5 perfume; however, her legacy is also controversial because of her ties to Nazi officials during World War II.

Charles de Gaulle (1890-1970) was born in Lille, France. He became a key figure in French history as both a military leader and a statesman. During World War II, de Gaulle led the Free French Forces against Nazi Germany after the fall of France. After the war, he helped shape the new government and later founded the Fifth Republic, serving as its first president from 1959 to 1969.

Albert Camus (1913-1960) was born in Mondovi, French Algeria. He was a writer and philosopher known for exploring themes of absurdism and human freedom. Camus wrote influential works such as "The Stranger" and "The Myth of Sisyphus," which challenged traditional ideas about meaning and existence.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 for his contributions to modern thought.

Brigitte Bardot (1934-) was born in Paris, France. She became an international star in the 1950s and 1960s as an actress, singer, and model, famous for her beauty and bold screen presence. Bardot appeared in films like "And God Created Woman" and "Contempt," which helped redefine the image of women in cinema.

After retiring from acting in the 1970s, she became a major animal rights activist, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation to protect animals.

Luc Besson (1959-) was born in Paris, France. He became a leading figure in French cinema as a director, writer, and producer known for his stylish and visually striking films. Besson gained international recognition with movies like "Léon: The Professional," "The Fifth Element," and "La Femme Nikita." He also founded EuropaCorp, one of Europe's largest film production companies.

Zinedine Zidane (1972-) was born in Marseille, France. Nicknamed "Zizou," he became one of the greatest soccer players of his generation, known for his skillful technique, vision, and leadership on the field. Zidane led France to victory in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice in the final, and helped them win the UEFA Euro 2000.

After retiring as a player, he became a successful coach, guiding Real Madrid to three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018.