May 19 – Turning Points, Revolutions, and French Power Plays

At first glance, May 19 seems like an ordinary spring day. But a look into history books reveals something else: On this date, kings made risky decisions, empires faltered, revolutions gained momentum, and France often played a leading role. Some events today sound almost like scenes from a movie — others continue to influence politics, the military, or social debates to this day. Let's start in the year 1643. In the Battle of Rocroi, France defeated the almost untouchable Spanish army at that time. The young Duke of Condé led ...