After the world found out that 12 people in Paris had been killed by extremists in a terrorist attack yesterday morning, millions of people on social media wrote heartfelt messages of sorrow over the tragic loss of life.

The hashtag #JeSuisCharlie (I am Charlie) began trending worldwide as Twitter users shared touching images and photos paying tribute to the famous journalists killed when gunmen stormed their weekly editorial meeting.

A policeman was also killed when the gunmen escaped from the scene.

Two parents in France decided to pay tribute to the loss of life as they celebrated new life, sharing a beautiful picture of their newborn baby's hand, adorned with a hospital band reading simply 'Je Suis Charlie'.

It is unknown whether or not the couple named their newborn child Charlie after the magazine, but the sentiment was admired by pro-freedom of speech demonstrators across the globe.

The hashtag has continued to trend worldwide as France's official day of mourning draws to a close.

The lights of the Eiffel Tower were turned off at 7pm this evening as a mark of respect for those killed in what French President Hollande has described as 'the worst terrorist attack' in over a hundred years.