Dateline: January 1961, Paris

The results of a contentious referendum on the Algerian question held 8 January 1961 have been announced in Paris. President de Gaulle's effort in favor of the referendum, upon which he has staked his nascent presidency has been successful. A large majority of voters, both in Metropolitan France as well as in Algeria have voted in favor of self-determination for the region. The referendum result was welcomed by French Prime Minister Michel Debré as a "clear and striking response". President de Gaulle was informed of the results by telephone at his country home at Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises and remarked that the "good sense" of the people had prevailed.

With the presence of nearly 20,000 French soldiers in the streets of Algiers, there were few reports of violence. The pied noir, the European residents of the Algerian departments, have expressed their shock in the results and their displeasure at President de Gaulle, who they believed would stand firm against the native Algerians.

For the moment, France breathes a sigh of relief, in the hopes that the Algerian Crisis will soon be over.