The Ordre National du Mérite (in English: The National Order of Merit) is an Order of Chivalry awarded by the President of France. It was founded on December 3, 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle. The reason of the Order's establishment was twofold: to replace the large number of ministerial Orders previously awarded by the ministries; and to create an award that can be awarded more liberally than the prestigeous Légion d'honneur. An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. ... December 3 is the 337th (in leap years the 338th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1963 was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (November 22, 1890 – November 9, 1970), in France commonly referred to as général de Gaulle, was a French military leader and statesman. ... French Legion of Honor The Légion dhonneur (Legion of Honor (AmE) or Legion of Honour (ComE)) is an Order of Chivalry awarded by the President of France. ...

The Order can be awarded to French nationals, men and women, for distinguished civil and military achievements, though of a lesser level than that required for the conferrment of the Légion d'honneur. Foreigners are not admitted into the Order as such, but may receive the insignia of the Order as a mark of respect. The President of France is the Grand Master of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order--by convention, on the advice of the Government. The Order has a common Chancellor and Chancery with the Légion d'honneur. The President of France, known officially as the President of the Republic (Président de la République in French), is Frances elected Head of State. ...

Grades

The Order has five classes, the same as the Légion d'honneur:

• Grand Cross - wears the badge on a sash on the right shoulder, plus the star on the left chest;
• Grand Officer - wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest, plus the star on the right chest;
• Commander - wears the badge on a necklet;
• Officer - wears the badge on a ribbon with rosette on the left chest;
• Chevalier - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

Rosettes are small, circular devices that are presented with a medal. ... Rosettes are small, circular devices that are presented with a medal. ...

Insignia

The badge and the plaque of the Order were designed by the french sculptor Max Léognany.

• The badge of the Order is a six-armed 'Maltese Asterisk' (for want of a better description - see Maltese Cross) in gilt (silver for chevalier) enamelled blue, with laurel leaves between the arms. The obverse central disc features the head of Marianne, surrounded by the legend République Française. The reverse central disc has a set of crossed tricolores, surrounded by the name of the Order and its foundation date. The badge is suspended by a laurel wreath.

• The star (or 'plaque') is worn by Grand Cross (in gilt on the left chest) and Grand Officer (in silver on the right chest) respectively; it is a twelve-armed sunburst, with rays (formerly plain, now in blue enamel) between the arms. The central disc features the head of Marianne, surrounded by the legend République Française and the name of the Order, and in turn surrounded by a wreath of laurel.

• The ribbon for the badge is plain blue.

This article refers to the asterisk symbol. ... The Maltese Cross (✠) has been the symbol of the Christian warrior since the First Crusade. ... A gilt is any of the following: A thin covering of gold. ... Some trees and shrubs in the laurel family Lauraceae are called Laurel: Bay laurel Laurus nobilis, the original true laurel that is the source of bay leaves used as a seasoning. ... Marianne busts with features of Brigitte Bardot - ? - ? - Catherine Deneuve - Mireille Mathieu For the Tori Amos song see Marianne (song). ... The term tricolore can refer to: the Flag of France (in French, le drapeau tricolore or, rarely, le tricolore) the Flag of Italy (in Italian: il tricolore) the Flag of Russia (in Russian: триколор) a tricolour banner or flag which has three colours, usually in approximately equal size (horizontally or... A gilt is any of the following: A thin covering of gold. ... Marianne busts with features of Brigitte Bardot - ? - ? - Catherine Deneuve - Mireille Mathieu For the Tori Amos song see Marianne (song). ... A ribbon is a thin band of flexible material, typically cloth but also plastic or sometimes metal, used primarily for binding and tying. ...

See also

• Order (decoration)
• State decoration

An Order is a decoration, awarded by a government to an individual, usually for distinguished service to a nation or to humanity. ... State decorations are orders, medals and other decorations granted by a sovereign state. ...

External link

• Chancery of the Legion of Honour (http://www.legiondhonneur.fr/)