Within the English - speaking world , the French internal vacation commemorate the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille is commonly referred to as " Bastille Day . " But not in France . There it ’s simplyle Quatorze Juillet .
Because the vacation is celebrated during summertime — and marked byfireworks — many non - French often misidentify it for France ’s version of an independency day . While its story is likewise steeped in revolution , this French national vacation is related to thebirthof the French Republic , not its achievement of independence . And it ’s also not the day Louis XVI was guillotined , or even part of the taradiddle of " Les Misérables , " though it did start with a prison break , sort of .
What Is Bastille Day?
When a chemical group ofParisians stormed the Bastilleprison on the east side of Paris on July 14 , 1789 , they want weapons and ammunition . Some prisoners were freed , but the actions of the protestors had much further - achieve outcome . The event took place within an already combative political time period when the Third Estate — non - nobles and non - clergy — sought adequate representation and express anger at the burden of taxation . The Bastille was a symbol of the unchecked big businessman of the Gallic monarchy .
While thebourgeoisie(middle social class ) made political moves , unrest turn in the capital letter among the working class , precede to the events of July 14 , finally culminate in the toppling of the Gallic monarchy and the beheading of Louis XVI in 1793 .
" The storming of the Bastille prison was considered a demo against political totalitarianism , " explains Shanita Miller , interim executive music director , Alliance Française Atlanta . " This was one of the most defining moments of theFrench Revolution . "
Although not as politically important as other revolutionary happenings in France ( like the formation of the National Assembly and the acceptation of theDeclaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizenon August 26 of the same year ) the Storming of the Bastille come to symbolize the French Revolution . And despite the many changes the Gallic government has gone through since then — it ’s currently on itsFifth Republic — July 14 was describe as the country ’s home vacation .
La Fête de la Federation
But the Storming of the Bastille in 1789 is not the only thing honored by the French on July 14 . They also celebrate another event that took place exactly one twelvemonth later : la Fête de la Federation .
Just 12 month after the Storming of the Bastille , France was in a res publica of relative ataraxis . Louis XVI continued to dominate , although with fewer powers , and the nobility had lost all perquisite . Changes also had been made in the way the clergy operated .
According to theBBC , to mark this " affirmative form " of the gyration , authorities hostedla Fête de la Federationon the one - year anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille , which included a fete in Paris ' Champs de Mars . QueenMarie Antoinetteeven displayed her baby son and heritor to the throne to the crew .
A few republics , one emperor and a restoration after , Gallic leaders were interested in a way to abide by the source of republicanism in France , and they looked back to July 14 . Although whether it was the initial Bastille event orla Fête de la Federationwas never explicitly express . Nevertheless , in 1880 , theofficial national vacation was declared .
" July 14 commemorates so many important minute in shaping a unify France that it ’s perceivable why the Gallic refer to this solar day by its date instead of Bastille Day , " Miller say . In fact , calendars in France are print with " Fête nationale " on the engagement of July 14 .
Celebrations in France
" ' Bastille Day ' is an English expression ; I have never heard it used in French , " says Anna Cumbie , a teacher who lives in Toulouse , France . " The word ' Bastille ' now either refer to the neighborhood in Paris where the Bastille once stood — the arena surroundingPlace de la Bastilleand its metro stop — or to the historical event of the storming of the Bastille . "
Whatever you choose to call it , " the French national vacation " is the " one case not to pretermit in Paris , " consort to theParis Convention and Visitors Bureau web site . In fact , there are really two day of solemnization with amusement culminating in a 30 - bit firework presentation lay off from the Eiffel Tower and the gardens of Trocadéro . Parisians and visitor can watch this show from many locations , like the city ’s parks , monuments or restaurants , and even from cruises on the Seine . Other French cities host standardised celebrations .
" I typically go to see firework , " Cumbie says . " All big cities have a fireworks display and often an event . Toulouse normally organizes an outdoor concert and then pyrotechnic over the Garonne River . During the day , a lot of people follow the military parade on goggle box . One of the big celebrations that ’s famous throughout the rural area and often shown on TV is the striking fireworks display at theLa Cité Médiévale de Carcassonne . "
If you ca n’t make it to Paris or any other French city to take part in the annual celebrations , there are plenty of options for Francophiles around the world .
" I always suggest looking up your closest Alliance Française , Institut Français or contacting local French eating house , " Miller say . " These three chemical group will always find a way to observe France ’s national day . " The Alliance Française in Atlanta , for instance , has been hosting Bastille Day celebrations for more than 30 years .
Just remember not to confound the meaning ofle Quatorze Juilletwith that of America ’s Fourth of July or other national holiday ; it ’s not a festivity of independency .
" It ’s dissimilar from the Fourth of July in that it ’s not necessarily associated with being patriotic in the path Americans tend to be , " Cumbie says . “Our celebrations do n’t usually include flying French flags or wear off them on our shirts or scorch the home hymn . "
That ’s a succor , because singe " The Star - Spangled Banner " is challenge enough .
