Country of Origin: France

Time Period of Origin: Late-18th Century

Bastille Day is a French holiday that commemorates the Fête de la Fédération, using the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The Fête de la Fédération was a huge extravagant party to celebrate the newly created, and soon to be destroyed, constitutional monarchy. The Fête de la Fédération was seen as a happy conclusion to the French Revolution, and was celebrated by the French people as an end to the bloodshed and turmoil in their country. Though the constitutional monarchy did not last long, Bastille Day is celebrated to this day by the French people.

The 14th of July is the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The Bastille was a fortress-turned-prison in Paris, which represented Royal authority to the bourgeoisie, or middle class. The Parisian militia, the aggressors in the conflict, signified themselves by wearing tricolor emblems consisting of blue, white, and red, which would later form the French flag. On July 14th, 1789, the Parisian militia broke into the arsenal at Les Invalides, and amassed a collection of muskets. They lacked powder and ammunition, which was then held in the Bastille. Eventually, the Bastille fell, and the French Revolution began.

Bastille Day, to the French people, is considered the birth of their modern nation. The day is celebrated with military parades, and occasionally French allies are invited to have some of their soldiers march in the parade. Britain led the march in 2004, and Germany led the march in 2007, with the former’s Red Arrows flying above. Traditionally, the president of the country would give an interview to the press, talking about the current state of the French Republic, and it’s future projects. Another tradition, the French president is known to uphold, is hosting a party in the garden of the Élysée Palace.

(Author’s Note: I am deeply sorry about disappearance. My computer problems persist, and I should be back to normal on Sunday. Because of the scarcity of my posting, I will be doing my best to produce as many full-length lessons as possible.

Thank you for continuing to read though! Your loyalty inspires!)