When France founded a new republic, 233 years ago this week, it opened a new era – literally. For a brief period the country ran on a unique calendar, designed to liberate the people from religious customs – until it became clear that time and date would not be overthrown.
Republican time began on 22 September, 1792. Gone were the eras BC and AD – the new France needed a new calendar, one that no longer counted years from the birth of Jesus or was paced by Christian holidays.
