Roman coins have been discovered in Fourmies. In the 11th century, the town was first mentioned under the name "Formeias", which may refer to the swamp area in the valley of the river Helpe Mineure. Since the 12th century, the village has been called
Formies,
Furmies,
Formies,
Formiis and
Fourmies.
Glassworks were created in Fourmies in 1599. They were the first established in northern France.
Fusillade de Fourmies - May 1891 May 1, 1891 was the first French and international celebration of
International Workers' Day on
May Day. Workers in Fourmies faced falling wages and twelve to fifteen hour working days. In Fourmies, troops shot at peaceful strikers: nine died, including eight demonstrators under 21 years old, among whom a young worker who would remain a symbol, Marie Blondeau. Thirty five others were injured in the shooting. Government troops fired upon a peaceful
demonstration of workers claiming "C'est les huit heures qu'il nous faut !" (It's the
eight-hour day we need!). The shooting of 1 May in Fourmies evoked strong emotions in France. It is regarded today as one of the founding events of the
French Section of the Workers' International.
Jean Jaurès visited Fourmies afterwards to make a speech there while
Georges Clemenceau declared in front of the French Parliament that "it is the
Fourth estate which rose" (« c'est le Quatrième état qui s'est levé ». ).
Heraldry ==Population==