History Today: How Paris was liberated from German forces

Paris was an important city that had been under Nazi occupation for four years during World War II. It was on August 25, 1944, that Paris was finally liberated from the German occupation, marking a one of the most symbolic victories during the war.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers’ ongoing series, History Today , will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

In 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas on this day. Designated as a Category 4 storm, it is considered one of the costliest natural disasters in the United States.

Here is all that happened on this day.

Paris was liberated from German forces

One of the most important cities of the Allied forces, Paris, had been in the grips of German forces since 1940. August 25, 1944, is the day that Paris was finally liberated, marking a symbolic victory of World War II. The liberation came after weeks of fighting across France, as Allied forces advanced following the D-Day landings in Normandy .

The uprising in Paris began on August 19 when members of the French Resistance launched strikes and skirmishes against German forces occupying the city. Barricades rose in the streets, echoing the revolutionary traditions of French history. The fighting grew intense , and although German commander General Dietrich von Choltitz had orders from Adolf Hitler to destroy Paris rather than surrender, he chose not to carry them out. His refusal to burn the city preserved its historic landmarks from devastation.

On August 24, General Philippe Leclerc’s French 2nd Armoured Division, fighting alongside Allied troops, reached the outskirts of Paris. By the next morning, they entered the city amid celebrations and sporadic clashes. On August 25, von Choltitz formally surrendered to Leclerc and Resistance leader Henri Rol-Tanguy at the Hotel Meurice, ending German control.

The liberation was met with scenes of unrestrained joy. Crowds filled the streets, waving French flags that had been hidden during occupation. Charles de Gaulle, leader of the Free French, marched triumphantly down the Champs-Élysées the following day, declaring that Paris had been liberated ‘by itself, with the help of France.’

Hurricane Harvey hit US

One of the costliest natural disasters to have hit the United States took place on this day in 2017. Hurricane Harvey made its landfall on the Texas coast as a powerful Category 4 storm. Harvey was not only devastating for its high winds of over 130 miles per hour (approx. 209 kilometres per hour) but also for its unprecedented rainfall.

What made Harvey particularly destructive was not only its intensity at landfall but also its slow movement. The storm stalled over southeastern Texas for days, dumping unprecedented rainfall across the region. Some areas, including Houston, received more than 50 inches of rain, setting records as one of the heaviest rain events ever recorded in the United States. The deluge triggered widespread flooding, submerging highways, destroying infrastructure, and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents.

More than 100 people lost their lives, while countless others were forced to evacuate by boat or helicopter as floodwaters rose. Emergency shelters quickly filled, and the federal government declared a major disaster, mobilising rescue operations on a massive scale.

Economically, Harvey caused an estimated $125 billion in damages, making it the second-costliest US hurricane after Katrina. Entire neighbourhoods were ruined, and businesses, schools, and hospitals suffered severe losses. The storm also disrupted the nation’s energy sector, as Texas is home to key oil refineries and pipelines.

This Day, That Year

• The first person to set foot on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, passed away on this day in 2012.

• In 1916, US President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act, which established the National Park Service.

With inputs from agencies