Bastille Day - France's Independence Day

Bastille Day is much like Independence Day in theoppression for all French citizens. By capturing this
United States - It is the celebration of a newsymbol, the people signaled that the king's power
form of government. Bastille Day symbolizes thewas no longer absolute: power should be passed
overthrow of the old monarchy and the beginningon to the Nation and be limited by a separation of
of the French republic.powers.
The BastilleThe storming of the Bastille was the beginning of
The Bastille was built in 1382 and was originallythe French Revolution that toppled King Louis XVI
used to defend the east side of Paris fromand the aristocracy. For all citizens of France, the
attack. The Bastille had walls more than 80 feetstorming of the Bastille came to symbolize liberty
high and was surrounded by a moat. Hundreds ofand democracy in the struggle against oppression.
years later, the French monarchy converted TheModern Day Celebrations
Bastille into a prison to lock up people who didn'tBastille Day was declared a French national holiday
agree with their decisions. People were jailed byon July 6th, 1880. Bastille Day has such a strong
arbitrary decision of the King. The Bastille was, insignification for the French because the holiday
particular, known for holding political prisonerssymbolizes the birth of the Republic.
whose writings had displeased the royalBastille Day is commemorated world-wide. For
government. The prisoners inside the Bastille wereinstance, in Philadelphia people dressed as French
given no trial - they were placed there under therevolutionaries mark the day by singing the
king's orders and only he could decide when and ifspeaker icon La Marseillaise, the French national
they would be freed.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.
was a symbol of liberty and the fight against