PARIS - Under cloudy sky and in windy weather, hundreds of French people gathered at the Republic Square in eastern Paris to take part in a national tribute to the 147 victims killed in separate attacks in January and November 2015.

On Sunday, President Francois Hollande presided over the official ceremony during which he unveiled a memorial plaque whose text said "in memory of the victims of the terrorist attacks in January and November 2015, in Paris, Montrouge and St. Denis. Here,  the people of France pay tribute."

A 10-meter-high commemorative oak tree was planted at Place de La Republique. At the official memorial ceremony attended by members of the Socialist government and victims' families, French rock star, Johnny Hallyday performed his song "A Sunday in January" referring to the millions of people who took the country' s streets on Sunday following the attacks at a satirical magazine and Jewish shop to denounce terrorism.

After that, French army choir sang "The names of Paris" of Jacques Brel before reading a Victor Hugo's address marking his return from exile on Sept. 5, 1870.

Hugo, one of the greatest and best-known French writers said "I only ask one thing, the union!"

With a wreath laid at the Republic statue and an observed one minute of silence, Hollande ended the public ceremony, the last in a series of memorial events started early this week.(Xinhua)