| DATE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION |
| 1890 | Born November 22 in Lille. |
| 1916 | Serves with distinction at the Battle of Verdun during World War I. |
| 1932 | Writes first of three books on military tactics, Edge of the Sword, advocating a highly mechanized French army. |
| 1934 | Writes The Army of the Future. |
| 1938 | Writes France and its Army. |
| 1940 | Attains rank of brigadier general during World War II. Escapes to London after the fall of France, and announces the formation of a French national committee-in-exile. |
| 1943 | President of the French Committee of National Liberation, based in Algiers. |
| 1944 | Returns to Paris after the liberation of France by the Allies. |
| 1945 | Heads provisional post-war government. |
| 1946 | Resigns as Provisional President. |
| 1947 | Organizes a new political movement, the Rally of the People of France (RPF). |
| 1953 | Disavows the RPF, and goes into retirement. |
| 1958 | Struggle for Algerian independence threatens France with civil war. Elected President of newly created Fifth Republic. |
| 1962 | Algeria gains independence. |
| 1965 | Re-elected President. |
| 1966 | France withdraws from NATO. |
| 1969 | Resigns presidency after defeat in a referendum calling for government reorganization. |
| 1970 | Dies November 7 at his private estate, Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises. |
