Batle of Sedan, 1870 - Definition and Overview

For other uses of Sedan, see Sedan (disambiguation).

Sedan is a city and commune in France, a sous-préfecture of the Ardennes département. Population: 21,117.

History

During the Franco-Prussian War, on September 2, 1870 the French emperor Napoleon III was taken prisoner with 100,000 of his soldiers at the Battle of Sedan.

Due to this major win in battle, which also made the "Second Reich" of Germany possible, September 2 was declared "Sedan's Day" and a national holiday in 1871. It remained a holiday until 1914.

During World War II the German troops first invaded neutral Belgium and crossed the Meuse River in Sedan. This allowed them to bypass the French fortification system, the Maginot Line.

Geography

• Area: 1,628 ha.
• Altitude: 157 m

External links

• City council website (http://www.sedan.fr) (in French)
• The German breakthrough in 1940 (http://www.onwar.com/maps/wwii/blitz/1fsedan40.htm)