"Jose Nagbe, " like many of you, noted that a shared French heritage links Canada and the Ivory Coast.

CNN: How you connected Canada and the Ivory Coast

Militia groups in Ivory Coast turned against French citizens 10 years ago when France was then seen as interfering in the country's affairs.

BBC: Is France under attack in Africa?

Last week, a French-owned ship seized by pirates off Ivory Coast was freed.

BBC: Pirates attack British cargo ship in Gulf of Guinea

French designer Ruhlmann (1879-1933) was known for using ivory and rare woods like Macassar ebony to make pieces with streamlined shapes and simple curves a departure from the ornate, florid carvings of the Art Nouveau style that predated him.

WSJ: Christie's to Auction Steven Greenberg's Art Deco Collection