1799

1799 was a pivotal year in the French Revolutionary era. The Directory government faced ongoing wars and political instability as the French revolutionary armies fought across Europe. On November 9, 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte led the coup of 18 Brumaire, overthrowing the Directory and establishing the Consulate, with Napoleon becoming First Consul under the Constitution of the Year VIII.

Napoleon had returned from Egypt earlier in August 1799 to take part in politics; The Egyptian campaign faced setbacks: the siege of Acre (March–May 1799) failed to capture the port stronghold defended by Ottoman and British forces; Napoleon then left Egypt for France in August 1799.

In Europe, the war continued with French forces in Italy and Switzerland fighting Austrian and Russian opponents. In Switzerland, Masséna faced coalition forces around Zurich; French victories helped stabilize the line as Napoleon prepared to return to France later in the year.

The Rosetta Stone was discovered in 1799 by French engineers during the campaign in Egypt; later, scholars used it to decipher hieroglyphs, greatly advancing Egyptology.

Administrative changes: The French Republican calendar's Year VII ended in September 1799; Year VIII began on September 22/23, 1799, marking a shift in official timekeeping and governance.