The Battle of Verdun was fought during World War I between the French and German armies from February to December 1916. It was one of the longest and costliest battles in history, becoming a symbol of French national determination and resilience. Verdun's defense was crucial for France, as it aimed to inflict as many casualties as possible on the German forces while maintaining French morale. The battle led to around 700,000 casualties, illustrating the brutality of trench warfare and the devastating impact of protracted conflict.