France Honors Alfred Dreyfus with National Memorial Day Starting 2026
In a powerful gesture against antisemitism, President Emmanuel Macron declares July 12 a national day to commemorate Dreyfus — marking both his exoneration and his death. His descendants call it a victory for justice and truth.
Twitter
PARIS — In a landmark move, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that starting in 2026, France will officially commemorate Alfred Dreyfus every year on July 12, establishing a new national day of remembrance. The date was chosen with symbolic precision: July 12 marks both Dreyfus's full exoneration in 1906 and the day of his death in 1935.
"This day will represent the victory of justice and truth over hatred and antisemitism," Macron declared, as France grapples with rising hate crimes and a surge in antisemitic incidents — despite being home to the largest Jewish community in Europe.
Who Was Alfred Dreyfus?
Born in 1859, Alfred Dreyfus was a gifted Jewish officer from a well-assimilated family. He rose quickly through the French military ranks and served as the only Jewish officer on the General Staff. In 1894, he was wrongfully convicted of treason in a rigged military trial and exiled to the infamous Devil’s Island in French Guiana.
The trial was marred by deep-rooted antisemitism, false evidence, and a public campaign of hate. The affair became a defining moment in French history, exposing institutional antisemitism and galvanizing the early Zionist movement.
After years of advocacy by figures like Émile Zola, Dreyfus was ultimately exonerated, reinstated in the military as a major, and later fought with distinction in World War I. Recently, the French parliament posthumously promoted him to the rank of Brigadier General, further cementing his legacy.
“A Hero Who Fought for His Honor”
Dreyfus’s descendants welcomed the move. His great-granddaughter, Anne-Cécile Lévy, said the memorial day will help young generations remember a pivotal chapter in French history. His great-grandson, Michel Dreyfus, called the decision “a celebration of the rule of law — something the world desperately needs today.”
Background and Context
The announcement comes as France faces a troubling rise in antisemitic hate crimes. Jewish leaders across Europe have praised Macron’s move as both symbolic and necessary in an era where democratic values are being tested.
The Dreyfus Affair was not just a miscarriage of justice — it was a national trauma. By honoring