seppuku

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In 1960, Georges Bernier, Cavanna and Fred Aristidès created the monthly satirical magazine Hara-Kiri. Hara Kiri Hebdo, its weekly counterpart, was first published in 1969.

Other collaborators included Melvin Van Peebles, Reiser, Roland Topor, Moebius, Wolinski, Gébé, Cabu, Delfeil de Ton, Fournier, Jean-Pierre Bouyxou and Bernhard Willem Holtrop.

Controversial

Hara Kiri editions, subtitled "Journal bête et méchant" (Stupid and vicious magazine), were constantly aiming at established powers, be they political parties or institutions like the Church or the State. In 1961 and 1966 the monthly magazine was temporarily banned by the French Government.

Hara-Kiri Hebdo becomes Charlie Hebdo

In November 1970, following the death of general de Gaulle at his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, Hara-Kiri Hebdo bore the headline « Bal tragique à Colombey : 1 mort » (English: Tragic ball at Colombey: 1 death).

The choice of the title refers to a tragedy of the same month: a fire at a discothèque where 146 people were killed. As a result, the magazine was immediately and permanently banned from sale to minors and publicity by the minister of the interior Raymond Marcellin.

Charlie Hebdo was started immediately afterwards. Charlie in the title refers to general de Gaulle (said Georges Wolinski); but it was the name of another magazine from Éditions du Square Charlie Mensuel, named after the character Charlie Brown from Charles M. Schulz' Peanuts.

External links

• A collection of cover images from the magazine