What was the French revolutionary calendar?
The French revolutionary calendar was adopted after the French Revolution (1789–99), a movement that overthrew the monarchy, the government headed by a king or queen, and established a republic, a government based on a constitution (a document specifying laws). The French revolutionary calendar was in effect from November 24, 1793, until December 31, 1805. It was computed from September 22, 1792, the day after the proclamation of the republic and was divided into twelve months of thirty days each: Vendémaire (vintage month); Brumaire (fog); Frimaire (sleet); Nivôse (snow); Pluvôse (rain); Ventôse (wind); Germinal (seed); Floréal (blossom); Prairial (pasture); Messidor (harvest); Thermidor (heat); Fructidor (fruit). The remaining five days, called sans-culottides, were feast days named for Virtue, Genius, Labor, Reason, and Rewards. In a leap year, when there is…
