What Day Is August 25? Liberation of Paris (1944)
August 25 is the 237th day of the year. In 1944, Paris was liberated from four years of Nazi occupation when General von Choltitz signed the surrender to French General Leclerc. Voyager 2 made its closest approach to Neptune in 1989.
About August 25
August 25 is the 237th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (238th in a leap year). There are 128 days remaining until the end of the year.
The significance of August 25
At 3:30 PM on August 25, 1944, German commander Dietrich von Choltitz signed the surrender of Paris to General Leclerc at the Gare Montparnasse. Von Choltitz had received direct orders from Hitler to mine and destroy the city’s bridges, water supply, and famous landmarks before any surrender. He did not carry out the order. When asked later why, he said he had concluded that Hitler was insane. The French Second Armored Division rolled down the Champs-Élysées to crowds that had waited four years. The Catholic Church celebrates St. Louis IX of France on August 25, the date of his death in 1270 in Tunis during the Eighth Crusade. He remains the only French king to be canonized.
Get this day by email
We'll remind you of August 25 every year.
On This Day in History
- 1825Uruguay declared independence from the Brazilian Empire.
- 1944Paris was liberated from Nazi occupation when German commander Dietrich von Choltitz surrendered to General Philippe Leclerc's French Second Armored Division. Von Choltitz disobeyed Hitler's direct order to destroy the city before surrendering.
Baby Names for This Day
August 25 is the feast of St. Louis IX of France. Names connected to this date:
- LouisBoy
St. Louis IX (1214-1270), King of France and the only French king to be canonized; died August 25, 1270, in Tunis during the Eighth Crusade.
- PhilippeBoy
General Philippe Leclerc, commander of the French Second Armored Division that entered Paris on August 25, 1944.
- CholtitzBoy
An unusual choice — Dietrich von Choltitz disobeyed Hitler's order to burn Paris, allowing one of the world's greatest cities to survive.
- ParisGirl
Liberated August 25, 1944; the city that kept its bridges and museums because a German general refused his orders.
- NeptuneBoy
Voyager 2 made its closest approach to Neptune on August 25, 1989, providing the only close-up images we have of the planet.
- GaulleBoy
Charles de Gaulle walked down the Champs-Élysées on August 25-26, 1944; the image defined his leadership and France's postwar identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day is August 25?add
August 25 is the day Paris was liberated from Nazi occupation (1944). The feast of St. Louis IX of France. Uruguay declared independence in 1825. Voyager 2 passed Neptune in 1989. The 237th day of the year.
What number day of the year is August 25?add
August 25 is the 237th day of the year, or the 238th in a leap year, with 128 days remaining.
What zodiac sign is August 25?add
August 25 is Virgo, which runs from August 23 to September 22.