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Bastille Day
Bastille Day is a French national holiday celebrated on the 14th July each year. In France it is known as "Fête Nationale" (National Holiday") or more colloquially as "quatorze juillet" (14th of July).
Bastille Day is commonly believed to commemorate the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789 (even in France), but it actually commemorates the "Fête de la Fédération" held on 14th July 1790, which was itself the commemoration of the storming of the Bastille.
The original Fête de la Fédération was a huge celebration, held outside Paris at the Champ de Mars, and consisted of a Mass followed by a four day feast.
Commemoration of Bastille Day and the Fête de la Fédération was not a continuous process in national terms. It was not until 1878 that a feast was held to honour the Republic (on 30th June) and on 14th July 1879, the centenary of the storming, the feast was only semi-official, although the events on that day did include a military review and a reception for the Chamber of Deputies.
In 1880 the celebrations were reported to be "particularly magnificent" although the enabling legislation was only finalised some 8 days beforehand.
The Storming of the Bastille was itself a seminal moment in French history. Early in 1889 there had been various forms of unrest in France which Louis XVI was unable to control. There were movements to have what was effectively a revolution by the common people. Their leaders identified the Bastille as a symbol of the Monarchy, as it was the place where the King arbitrarily imprisoned people.
Folklore suggests that the storming released hundreds of peasants, when in fact the number of inmates was only seven. However it was the fact that it occurred that was significant; it signalled the possibility that change could be achieved, and inspired people to press forward with their aspirations. Many have suggested that the actual storming was less of a move to free prisoners and more of a move to acquire arms and ammunition. The King had mobilised his troops and they were marching from Versailles to quell the situation in Paris.
In modern times, Bastille Day is marked by a military parade along the Champs-Elysées in Paris. This is normally reviewed by the President and senior political and military figures. In 2004, which was the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, the British Royal Marines, Household Cavalry and Grenadier Guards took part in the celebrations. The parade is always closed by members of the Paris Fire Brigade, who have military status. Students from the École Polytechnique traditionally stage manage some form of prank or joke during the parade.
Afterwards the President usually gives a "State of the Nation" speech and then hosts a garden party at the Elysée Palace.
Bastille Day always falls during the Tour de France cycle race and it is traditional for French riders to make every effort to win the stage held on the day itself.
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