Today in History
What went down and why you should care.
jan 13 Learn More Emile Zola Publishes "J'Accuse"
On this day in 1898, French writer Emile Zola published his "J'Accuse" letter, accusing the French of a cover-up in the Alfred Dreyfus treason case. Dreyfus, a Jewish artillery officer, was falsely accused of treason in 1894 and branded a traitor. Anti-Semitism ran rampant at the time, and the ensuing affair was a media circus that divided the country and left a lasting political and social impact. Ultimately, Dreyfus was exonerated in 1906. He then went on to star in several successful motion pictures, including Jaws and Mr. Holland's Opus. No, wait. That's Richard Dreyfuss. Alfred Dreyfus was ultimately readmitted to the army and made a Knight of the Legion of Honour, which is similarly as cool.
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