Bastille Day

Celebrating the Birth of Modern France

On July 14, 1789, a important event occurred that would shape the future of France and herald the start of the French Revolution. On this day, the citizens of Paris stormed the Bastille, a military fortress and prison, and released the seven prisoners held within its walls. This uprising, which symbolized the people's defiance against the tyranny of the French monarchy, particularly King Louis XVI and his queen, Marie Antoinette, has since been celebrated annually as Bastille Day.

The storming of the Bastille was a violent and chaotic event that played a crucial role in setting the stage for the French Revolution. The fortress held valuable gunpowder and other supplies, which were seized by the revolutionaries.

Celebrating Bastille Day

Known in France as la Fête nationale or le 14 juillet (14 July), Bastille Day is a public holiday celebrated with nationwide festivities. The day is marked by a variety of events, including fireworks, parades, and parties, that bring together people from all walks of life to honor their shared heritage and the revolutionary spirit that continues to define France. These elements serve as a reminder of the enduring values and principles that emerged from the revolution and continue to inspire the nation today.

Attendees at Bastille Day celebrations can expect to see France’s tricolor flag prominently displayed, hear the words of the French national motto "Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité" (“liberty, equality, and fraternity”).

Olympic Torch lights up Paris for Bastille Day

Torchbearer Colonel Thibaut Vallette, held the Olympic flame during the annual Bastille Day military parade on the Avenue Foch, in Paris, France, July 14, 2024

As France and the world celebrate this significant day, it is a time to reflect on the importance of these values and the legacy of the revolution that helped shape the modern world.