Fifty-six years ago today, on April 28, 1969 (March 12, 1969), de Gaulle resigned as President of France. "Make no mistake! Say yes!" But the French people voted against their leader. On April 28, 1969, a historical era in France came to an abrupt end at 12:11. President Charles de Gaulle announced at his villa that he would officially step down tomorrow. De Gaulle did not have to resign. But he had promised to step down if French voters voted against it in a referendum on decentralization and reform of the Senate. The referendum rejected the bill by a margin of 5%. Two weeks ago, de Gaulle told a radio reporter that he would resign if the vote failed. He staked his personal prestige on the bill. His attitude put many of his allies in an awkward position. They supported de Gaulle, but opposed the referendum. They wanted something to change the president's mind. Nothing could actually do that, and for de Gaulle, personal prestige and national honor were the same thing. Until new elections were held, the president of the Arun-Bohai Senate will serve as interim president. In the next few weeks, France will witness a debate, and there will be no shortage of presidential candidates.