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The article discusses the refugee camps in France established for Spaniards fleeing their Civil War in 1939. Topics include the ill treatment of the refugees, the lack of food and sanitation in the camps, and the impact of World War II on government policies towards the Spanish refugees in addition to political refugees of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy and other political upheavals in Europe. Other subjects considered include Spaniards fighting for French armed forces, Spaniards working for underground movements, and Camp de Rivesaltes near Perpignan, used to house refugees from the Algerian War in the 1960s.

The author discusses the arrival of the German gun boat Panther in Morocco in 1911. The arrival of the ship was in reaction to French troops marching towards Fez. The troops marched in retaliation for the murder of a French officer while he involved himself in a matter over which he had no jurisdiction. The resulting diplomatic crisis involved Morocco, France, Germany, Great Britain, and Spain.

Traces the roots of hostage-taking in terrorism to the Paris Commune, which arose in 1871 under the leadership of Adolphe Thiers following the Franco-Prussian War. Political history of the Commune; Isolation of principals and the lack of a central government in early events of the Commune; Rise of hostage-taking in the Commune; Trials of the hostages; Role of mass media in publicizing terrorism.

The article discusses an imperial visit by Russian Tsar Nicholas II to France in 1901. It examines the efforts of French Foreign Minister Théophile Delcassé to organize the visit following a visit by Nicholas to Germany. The author reflects on the ways in which the visit caused domestic political difficulties, noting the challenges that it presented to French Prime Minister M. Waldeck-Rousseau and his Republican government. Other topics include Nicholas' attendance at a French naval and military review, his visit to France's Rheims Cathedral, and the decision to limit his public appearances.

The article discusses the 1871 destruction of the Vendôme Column, situated at the Place Vendôme in Paris, France. In the period following the Franco-Prussian War, the Commune of Paris was established in France as the world's first socialist government. French realist painter Gustave Courbet was appointed President of the Commune’s Art Commission which oversaw the removal of the column on May 16th. After the establishment of the third republic in France, Courbet was held financially responsible for the re-erection of the column.

The article discusses political cartoons related to the trial of nineteenth-century French Army captain Alfred Dreyfus. Dreyfus had been accused of passing French artillery secrets to the German military and was convicted of treason despite the discovery of the true spy, French Army major Ferdinand Esterhazy. Writer Emile Zola protested Dreyfus' incarceration. Cartoonist Henri-Gabriel Ibels created a magazine to support Dreyfus.

A historical calendar is presented for September which discusses the 1870 Sedan Campaign of the Franco-Prussian War, the subsequent loss of the French region of Alsace-Lorraine, the overthrow of the Second French Empire under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon III, and the establishment of the Third Republic in France.