French society loves anniversaries. 28 April 2009 marks the fortieth anniversary of Charles de Gaulle's resignation as French president.

De Gaulle's announcement was simple: "I shall cease to hold the office of president of the Republic. This decision shall take effect today at noon."

I never knew de Gaulle's France. Times have changed, and a lot of water has gone under the bridge. I reckon that France under Sarkozy bears as little or less of a resemblance to de Gaulle's France, as Obama's America resembles Nixon's.

Little memorials to de Gaulle pepper the French landscape. The larger Paris airport (code: CDG) is named in his honor. Atop the Champs-Elysées, the large circle that hosts the Arc de Triomphe bears de Gaulle's name. There is a Charles de Gaulle bridge over the Seine (near the gare de Lyon). An avenue Charles de Gaulle can be found in Neuilly-sur-Seine (west of the Arc de Triomphe), and in many French towns.