France: Charles de Gaulle Elected - 1958 | Today in History | 21 Dec 16
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De Gaulle Takes Office As President (1959)
De Gaulle was elected President by the electoral college with 78% of the vote. Upon becoming president, de Gaulle was faced with the urgent task of finding a way to bring to an end the bloody and divisive war in Algeria. De Gaulle arranged a cease-fire in Algeria and France recognized Algerian independence.