Fourmies (French pronunciation: [fuʁmi]) is a commune in the Nord department in northern France.

[4] Fourmies is situated in the Euroregion of Thiérache, a region of Northern France and Southern Belgium.

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.

In Fourmies, troops shot at peaceful strikers: nine died, including eight demonstrators under 21 years old, among whom a young worker who will remain a symbol, Marie Blondeau.

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 ».

Government troops fired upon a peaceful demonstration of workers claiming "C'est les huit heures qu'il nous faut !"