Leon Blum was a French politician and a prominent leader of the French Socialist Party. Born on April 9, 1872, he became the first socialist to serve as Prime Minister of France. His leadership was marked by efforts to implement social reforms, including the introduction of the 40-hour workweek and paid vacations for workers. Blum's political career spanned several decades, and he played a significant role during the Popular Front government in the late 1930s. He faced challenges, including economic difficulties and political opposition, but his legacy remains influential in the history of French socialism and labor rights.