Sedan, town, northeastern France, in Ardennes Department, on the Meuse River. The principal manufactures are woolen textiles, chemicals, and metal products; coal and iron are mined in the vicinity. The history of Sedan dates from the 14th century, when it was an ecclesiastical dependency. In the early 15th century it became an independent principality ruled by the La Marck family, who built the great castle that still dominates the town. Sedan passed to the French crown in 1642. In 1870 it was the scene of the decisive defeat of French forces in the Franco-Prussian War. In August 1914, during World War I, the town was captured by the Germans; it was relieved by American troops in November 1918. During World War II, German armored divisions defeated the French Ninth Army at Sedan in May 1940, an action that initiated the German invasion of France. Population (1999) 20,548.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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