Thursday, June 10, 1976, was a memorable day in Lyons, France. The press had prepared the local population for the event. From cities and towns throughout the Rhone Valley^special buses, trains, and cars had brought thousands into the city. The Gerland Sports Palace was packed with well over ten thousand enthusiasts. Georges Marchais, Secretary- General of the French Communist Party, would begin his highly publicized speech to the Christians of France at 8:30 that evening.