hold somebody's feet to the fire. also put somebody's feet to the fire. to cause someone to feel pressure or stress I think reporters really should hold the president's feet to the fire about this issue. See also: feet, fire, hold. hold (someone's) feet to the fire. To pressure (someone) to consent to or undertake something.
The Algerian War (1954-1962), also known as Algerian War of Independence, led to Algeria's independence from France. On July 1, 1962, some 6 million of a total Algerian electorate of 6.5 million cast their ballots in the referendum on independence. The vote was nearly unanimous. De Gaulle pronounced Algeria an independent country on July 3. The Provisional Executive, however, proclaimed July 5, the 132nd anniversary of the French entry into Algeria, as the day of national independence.
There's an excellent film (in the style of a documentary) on the later phases of the war. It is known by the titles <i>Bataille d'Alger</i> and <i>Battaglia di Algeri</i> or in English: <i>Battle of Algiers)</i>. (For political reasons was filmed in Algeria and Italy. The film was immediately banned in France). The war was singularly vicious and led to the collapse of the Fourth Republic in France; it also brought Charles de Gaulle back to power. Originally, it was assumed that he would keep Algeria for France. In 1961, when he announced plans for Algerian independence, there was an attempt by some units of French Army to march on Paris and remove him! The whole saga has left scars in France. By fighting the colonial power, France, in an extremely bitter war fought in two stages between 1954 and 1962.