Oldest person ever
Who
Jeanne Louise Calment
What
122/164 year(s), day(s)
Where
Frankreich (Arles)
When

The greatest fully authenticated age to which any human has ever lived is 122 years 164 days by Jeanne Louise Calment (France). Born on 21 February 1875 to Nicolas (1837 - 1931) and Marguerite (neé Gilles 1838 - 1924), Jeanne died at a nursing home in Arles, southern France on 4 August 1997.

Jeanne Calment lived through many major events which shaped the world we live in today. These events occured in all areas of life; social, political, scientific and technological and a number within her home nation of France.

She lived through two World Wars, the development of television, the modern motor car, aeroplanes and numerous other items which are taken for granted today.

Asked on her 120th birthday what she expected of the future, she replied, "a very short one".

Louis Blérot Successfully crossed the English Channel on 25 July 1909, the first ever over-the-ocean crossing by a heavier-than-air craft. The cover of Le Petit Journal (8 August 1909) shows him completing his crossing over the white cliffs of Dover.

Eiffel Tower Opened on 31 March 1889 when she was 14, as part of the Centennial Exposition to commemorate the French Revolution. It was originally viewed as a temporary structure and was to be dismantled in 1910. However, due to its usefulness in many scientific fields such as astronomy and meterology, it was saved from destruction and remianed the world's tallest building until 1930.

Louis Pasteur Made a wide and varied contribution to science most notably in the fields of chemistry and microbiology. Best known for the development of the pasteurization process, he also did important work with vaccines especially rabies and anthrax.

Tour de France The world's premier cycling event was first held in July 1903. The winner was Maurice Garin, known as "le ramoneur" (the chimney sweep, his original occupation), who won with ease. he also won the following year, but was disqualified four months later for having taken a lift in a car. Now millions watch the race every summer.

World War I Victorious French troops marced through Strasbourg on 22 November 1918. The town was annexed by the Ger