<P> The Appeal of 18 June (French: L'Appel du 18 juin) was a famous speech by Charles de Gaulle, the leader of the Free French Forces, in 1940 . The appeal is often considered to be the origin of the French Resistance to the German occupation during World War II . De Gaulle spoke to the French people from London after the fall of France . He declared that the war for France was not yet over, and rallied the country in support of the Resistance . It is regarded as one of the most important speeches in French history . </P> <P> In spite of its reputation as the beginning of the Resistance and Free French, historians have shown that the appeal was heard only by a minority of French people . De Gaulle's 22 June 1940 speech on the BBC was more widely heard . </P> <P> General de Gaulle became the de facto leader of the Free French Forces that had escaped to London in June 1940 . Marshal Philippe Pétain, a hero of World War I, had signed an armistice with Nazi Germany, and led the collaborating Vichy government while the Germans occupied the country's northern portion . De Gaulle opposed the armistice and had fled France on 17 June after Pétain made clear that he would seek an accommodation with the Nazis . </P>

Charles de gaulle appeal of june 18 speech