On This Day

Algiers putsch by French generals

The Algiers putsch, also known as the putsch of the generals (Putsch des généraux), was a failed coup d'état intended to force French President Charles de Gaulle not to abandon French Algeria, the...

The Algiers putsch, also known as the putsch of the generals (Putsch des généraux), was a failed coup d'état intended to force French President Charles de Gaulle not to abandon French Algeria, the resident European community and pro-French Algerians. Organised in French Algeria by retired French Army generals Maurice Challe (former commander-in-chief in French Algeria), Edmond Jouhaud (former Inspector General of the French Air Force), André Zeller (former Chief of Staff of the French Army) and Raoul Salan (former commander-in-chief in French Algeria), it took place from the afternoon of 21 to 26 April 1961 in the midst of the Algerian War (1954–1962) and brought the nation to the brink of a civil war.

The organisers of the putsch were opposed to the secret negotiations that French Prime...

Historical Significance

The Algiers putsch, also known as the putsch of the generals (Putsch des généraux), was a failed coup d'état intended to force French President Charles de Gaulle not to abandon French Algeria, the resident European community and pro-French Algerians.

Events Before

  1. Fausto Coppi dies

    Fausto Coppi cyclist, known for italian cyclist, died on 1960-01-02. Angelo Fausto Coppi was an Italian cyclist, the dominant international cyclist of the years after the Second World War.

  2. A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; emplo

    A photograph of a 13-year-old South African boy in a torn vest working in a mine is published in the Daily Herald; employing a 'native' under 18 in the mines is illegal under the Native Labour Regulation Act

  3. LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts

    LaMar Clark sets pro boxing record of 44 consecutive knockouts

  4. Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California

    Comedic actor Bob Denver (25) weds Maggie Ryan in California

  5. American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in N

    American songwriter Adolph Green (45) weds (for 3rd and final time) American actress and singer Phyllis Newman (24) in NYC, until his death in 2002

Events After

  1. Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

    Belgium grants Rwanda internal self-governance

  2. John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit Earth aboard Friendship 7

    John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, astronaut, businessman, and politician.

  3. Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors

    Philadelphia center Wilt Chamberlain scores 100 points, the most ever by an NBA player in a single game, in the Warriors' 169-147 win over the NY Knicks in Hershey; 36-of-63 from the field, 28-of-32 from the free-throw line

  4. Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

    Five research groups announce the discovery of antimatter

  5. Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

    Stan Musial scores his 1,869th run, setting a new National League record

More from the 1960s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 23, 1961?
The Algiers putsch, also known as the putsch of the generals (Putsch des généraux), was a failed coup d'état intended to force French President Charles de Gaulle not to abandon French Algeria, the resident European community and pro-French Algerians. Organised in French Algeria by retired French Army generals Maurice Challe (former commander-in-chief in French Algeria), Edmond Jouhaud (former Inspector General of the French Air Force), André Zeller (former Chief of Staff of the French Army) and Raoul Salan (former commander-in-chief in French Algeria), it took place from the afternoon of 21 to 26 April 1961 in the midst of the Algerian War (1954–1962) and brought the nation to the brink of a civil war. The organisers of the putsch were opposed to the secret negotiations that French Prime...
Why is Algiers putsch by French generals significant?
The Algiers putsch, also known as the putsch of the generals (Putsch des généraux), was a failed coup d'état intended to force French President Charles de Gaulle not to abandon French Algeria, the resident European community and pro-French Algerians.

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