World History Minute: France adopts the metric system (April 7, 1795)

World History Minute: France adopts the metric system (April 7, 1795)
World History Minute: France adopts the metric system (April 7, 1795)

World History Minute: France adopts the metric system (April 7, 1795)

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On April 7, 1795, France adopted the metric system. As late as 1920, only about 25 percent of the world’s population was using it. But today, it has become the accepted system of measurement just about everywhere—except the United States. Historian John Schmidt tells us the story. PHOTO: Norah Bagnall holds a metric conversion pamphlet while weighing tomatoes as she shops at a supermarket in London Aug. 22, 1995.(AP Photo/ Alistair Grant)