On the 9th October, 1830, the Minister of the Interior proposed in the Chamber of Deputies, the foundation of an institution of national reward, for the support and pension of the citizens who had distinguished themselves, or been wounded in the revolution of the preceding July, as also for the widows, orphans, or parents of those who had fallen. According to his account, more than five hundred orphans, and a like number of widows resulted from the contest, in which three thousand eight hundred had been wounded. He asked a vote of credit for seven millions francs (£250,000), four millions of which were to be applied to pensions.
The proposal was accepted with a few amendments on the 30th November, and the "Cross of July" was founded in consequence. It consists of a white-enamelled star with three double rays under a silver mural crown. The similarly-enamelled centre bears in three circles the national colours, and exhibits, on the obverse, the inscription, "27, 28, 29 Juillet, 1830", in the middle, and "Donne par le Roi des Francais" (Presented by the King of the French) on the edge. The reverse shows the Gallic Cock in gold, and the legend: "Patrie et Liberte" (Our Country and Liberty). The rays with six points, and with silver balls, are connected by an oak-leaf wreath (No 3). It is worn suspended by a bright blue ribbon (about three and a half inches wide) with a red stripe near each border.
The proposal was accepted with a few amendments on the 30th November, and the "Cross of July" was founded in consequence. It consists of a white-enamelled star with three double rays under a silver mural crown. The similarly-enamelled centre bears in three circles the national colours, and exhibits, on the obverse, the inscription, "27, 28, 29 Juillet, 1830", in the middle, and "Donne par le Roi des Francais" (Presented by the King of the French) on the edge. The reverse shows the Gallic Cock in gold, and the legend: "Patrie et Liberte" (Our Country and Liberty). The rays with six points, and with silver balls, are connected by an oak-leaf wreath (No 3). It is worn suspended by a bright blue ribbon (about three and a half inches wide) with a red stripe near each border.
Source : the book of orders of knighthood and decorations of honour of all nations, sir Bernard BURKE, 1858
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