L'Événement (1872)

L'Événement (meaning "The Event" in French) was a French newspaper founded in Paris by Victor Hugo's sons, Charles and François-Victor Hugo, along with Auguste Vacquerie and Paul Meurice. It began publication on July 29, 1851, following the suspension of their previous publication, L'Événement, during the political turmoil of the Second Republic.

The paper was initially known for its progressive and liberal political stance, often criticizing the policies of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (later Napoleon III). It championed ideals of democracy, social justice, and freedom of expression. It quickly gained a readership due to its bold and independent reporting.

L'Événement was suspended several times during the Second Empire due to its critical stance toward the government. Its publication was definitively ceased in 1851, not 1872 as indicated in the title. The confusion likely arises because Victor Hugo, after his return to France in 1870 after exile, played a part in a subsequent publication Le Rappel.

The paper's legacy lies in its contribution to the development of modern journalism in France. It emphasized the importance of factual reporting, investigative journalism, and the role of the press as a watchdog of government power. It also helped to shape public opinion on important political and social issues of the time. Its early demise highlights the restrictions on freedom of the press during the Second Empire.