France Soir ("France Evening") is a French daily newspaper which was originally founded as the underground paper Défense de la France ("Defense of France") in November 1944 by Pierre Lazareff, and renamed France Soir after World War II. France Soir prospered during the 1950s, and became the top-selling newspaper in France in 1961, with a peak circulation figure in excess of one million. 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... Combatants Allied Powers Axis Powers Commanders {{{commander1}}} {{{commander2}}} Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties 17 million military deaths 7 million military deaths {{{notes}}} World War II, also known as the Second World War (sometimes WW2 or WWII or World War Two), was a mid-20th century conflict that engulfed much of the... // Events and trends This map shows two essential global spheres during the Cold War in 1959. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will take you to calendar). ... The word circulation can mean the following: The transport of blood through the circulatory system. ...

However, sales dropped steadily thereafter and as of 2005, only about 45,000 copies were being sold per day. Managed by a series of different publishers over the years, the newspaper became more sensationalist in content in an attempt to revive sales. In late 2005, the newspaper's fortunes declined further when it entered bankruptcy proceedings on October 27, and on October 31 the Bobigny commerce court declared a setting in rectification for a six month period. Notice of closure stuck on the door of a computer store the day after its parent company, Granville Technology Group Ltd, declared bankruptcy (strictly, administration - see text) in the UK. Bankruptcy is a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organization to pay their creditors. ... October 27 is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 65 days remaining. ... October 31 is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 61 days remaining, as the final day of October. ... Bobigny is a town and commune of France, in the suburbs is of Paris, chief town of the arrondissement of the Seine-Saint-Denis. ...

The millionaire Raymond Lakah currently owns a majority share in the newspaper. Lakah has both an Egyptian and French nationality and is of Roman Catholic belief. Raymond Lakah is the owner of the French newspaper France Soir. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ...

Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

Main article: Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy

On February 1, 2006 France Soir republished a series of caricature depictions of Mohammad under the headline "Yes, we have the right to caricature God" ("Oui, on a le droit de caricaturer Dieu"), which had caused much controversy after initial publication in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. Moroccan and Tunisian authorities prohibited distribution of this issue of France Soir. The Face of Muhammed. ... Caricature of Alan Greenspan by Jan Op De Beeck. ... Muhammad (Arabic محمد, also transliterated Mohammad, Mohammed, and formerly Mahomet, following the Latin) is revered by Muslims as the final prophet of God. ... Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten ( (help· info), short form: Jyllands-Posten, literally the Jutland Post) is the largest-selling daily newspaper in Denmark. ...

In response to the uproar in the Muslim community, Lakah immediately terminated the employment of Jacques Lefranc, the chief editor of the newspaper, citing the need to "respect the beliefs and convictions of each individual". The title of the February 2 issue was "Voltaire, help us, they have gone mad" ("Au secours, Voltaire, ils sont devenus fous"). An individual can face termination of employment, or job loss, for one of many reasons. ... The last of Voltaires statues by Jean-Antoine Houdon (1781). ...