Permanent historical records ยท Updated 2026-11-03

1881 in France

Explore 22 historical events and records for France in 1881.

Historical records for France in 1881

Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 22 of 22 unique records.

22Unique records
1 of 1Page
19Named events on this page
11Named people on this page
4Places on this page

February

Federation Francaise de Cyclisme

Paul Devilliers, Paul ยท Paris ยท Sport / Cycling

The Union Velocipedique Francaise (UVF), predecessor of the FFC, is founded in the Cafe Le Marengo by delegates of ten cycling clubs who decide to create a national championship race of 10 km. The first president is Parisian Paul Devilliers

May

French Protectorate over Tunisia

Ferry, Jules Francois Camille ยท Tunis ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Government of France

The treaty establishes French control over Tunisian foreign affairs.

Treaty of Bardo

Ferry, Jules Francois Camille ยท Tunis ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Government of France

His government imposes the Treaty of Bardo on Tunisia.

June

Free Primary Education Law

Ferry, Jules Francois Camille ยท Paris ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Government of France

Promulgates legislation making public primary education free.

Free Primary Education Reform

Bert, Paul ยท Paris ยท Minister of Education ยท Government / Government of France

Supports the law establishing free public primary education.

Jules Ferry Education Reform

Ferry, Jules Francois Camille ยท Paris ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Government of France

The reform becomes a foundation of France's republican school system.

Public School Fees Abolished

Bert, Paul ยท Paris ยท Minister of Education ยท Government / Government of France

The measure abolishes school fees in public primary schools.

November

Gambetta Ministry Begins

Gambetta, Leon ยท Paris ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Republic, 3rd

Forms a new French government and becomes prime minister.

Prime Minister of France

Gambetta, Leon ยท Paris ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Republic, 3rd

His ministry begins after Jules Ferry leaves office.

Other events (month unknown)

Agregation in Philosophy

Bergson, Henri ยท Paris ยท Teacher ยท Humanities / Philosophy

Bergson passes the competitive philosophy examination and begins teaching in provincial lycees.

Canal Promoter

de Lesseps, Ferdinand ยท Panama Canal ยท Canal Promoter ยท Economy / French Panama Canal Project

Begins full scale French canal construction and acquires key railroad assets

French Canal Project Expands

de Lesseps, Ferdinand ยท Panama Canal ยท Canal Promoter ยท Economy / French Panama Canal Project

The company commits major resources to excavation and railway acquisition.

Inverse Piezoelectric Effect

Curie, Jacques ยท Paris ยท Physicist ยท Science / Physics

Helps demonstrate the inverse piezoelectric effect.

Inverse Piezoelectric Effect

Curie, Pierre ยท Paris ยท Physicist ยท Science / Physics

Helps experimentally verify the inverse piezoelectric effect.

Inverse Piezoelectric Effect

Curie, Pierre ยท Paris ยท Physicist ยท Science / Physics

Shows crystals can deform under an electric field.

Minister of Education

Bert, Paul ยท Minister of Education ยท Government / Government of France

Appointed Minister of Education

Panama Canal Construction

de Lesseps, Ferdinand ยท Panama Canal ยท Canal Promoter ยท Economy / French Panama Canal Project

Directs expansion of the French Panama Canal construction effort.

Piezoelectric Verification

Curie, Pierre ยท Paris ยท Physicist ยท Science / Physics

Shows that electric fields can deform suitable crystals.

Prime Minister of France

Gambetta, Leon ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Republic, 3rd

Ministry last for 9 weeks, suspected of dictatorial ambitions

Rule of Tunisia

Ferry, Jules Francoise Camille ยท Prime Minister of France ยท Government / Government of France

Tunisia is made a French protectorate

Siege of Hanoi

Riviere, Henri Laurent ยท Hanoi ยท Captain ยท Warfare / French Indochina War

Riviere is sent to Hanoi to evict the Chinese "Black Flag Pirates". Killed during a Vietnamese counterattack. Captures the Hanoi fortress & the Hon Gay coal mine

Un Illumine

Fabre, Ferdinand ยท Arts / Literature

Publication of "Un Illumine"

How these records were prepared

Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.