Bastille Day - France's Independence Day

Bastille Day is much like Independence Day in thewas a symbol of liberty and the fight against
United States - It is the celebration of a newoppression for all French citizens. By capturing this
form of government. Bastille Day symbolizes thesymbol, the people signaled that the king's power
overthrow of the old monarchy and the beginningwas no longer absolute: power should be passed
of the French republic.on to the Nation and be limited by a separation of
The Bastillepowers.
The Bastille was built in 1382 and was originallyThe storming of the Bastille was the beginning of
used to defend the east side of Paris fromthe French Revolution that toppled King Louis XVI
attack. The Bastille had walls more than 80 feetand the aristocracy. For all citizens of France, the
high and was surrounded by a moat. Hundreds ofstorming of the Bastille came to symbolize liberty
years later, the French monarchy converted Theand democracy in the struggle against oppression.
Bastille into a prison to lock up people who didn'tModern Day Celebrations
agree with their decisions. People were jailed byBastille Day was declared a French national holiday
arbitrary decision of the King. The Bastille was, inon July 6th, 1880. Bastille Day has such a strong
particular, known for holding political prisonerssignification for the French because the holiday
whose writings had displeased the royalsymbolizes the birth of the Republic.
government. The prisoners inside the Bastille wereBastille Day is commemorated world-wide. For
given no trial - they were placed there under theinstance, in Philadelphia people dressed as French
king's orders and only he could decide when and ifrevolutionaries mark the day by singing the La
they would be freed.Marseillaise, the French national anthem.
The Bastille became a symbol of the absolute andIn France, the day holds many festivities. Military
arbitrary power of King Louis XVI's Ancientparades are held in the morning, the largest of
Regime.which takes place on the Champs-Elysees avenue
For the peasant class, the Bastille stood as ain Paris in front of the President of the Republic.
symbol of the hypocrisy and corruption of theThe parade opens with cadets from certain
aristocratic government - controlled mostly byschools, followed by infantry troops, which are
nobility and clergy. The monarchy wasn't justthen followed by motorized troops. During the
undemocratic. The king and the aristocracy alsoentire parade, aviation flies above. In recent times,
owned the land and extracted not only the rent,it has become customary to invite units from
but imposed taxes and restrictions on the people.France's close allies into the parade. For instance,
The French people of all classes were frustratedin 2002 cadets from the United States Military
with many of the problems of their government,Academy paraded.
including wanting the king to share his absoluteBastille Day also falls during the running of the
powers, the right to own land and vote, tithesTour de France, and is traditionally the day upon
and feudal rights, religious staff wanting morewhich French riders will make a special effort to
money.take a stage victory for France.
The Beginning of the RevolutionParisians celebrate this national holiday with colorful
Due to these many reasons, the French peoplearts festivals and raucous parties. Many cities hold
stormed and seized The Bastille on July 14th,fireworks during the night. It is also customary
1789. Violent peasants pillaged and burnedthat firefighters organize dancing parties.
chateaux, and destroyed records of feudal dues.Everyone is encouraged to raise a glass of
At the time of its capture, the Bastille only heldchampagne and toast the national freedom
seven prisoners. But the storming of the prisonthey've enjoyed for more than 200 years.