Bastille Day in France 2023: Date, History, Facts, Activities

Sacré bleu! Bastille Day, July 14, commemorates the overthrow of the long-standing French monarchy, symbolised by the storming of a fortification and political prison in Paris. Do you know how you’ll commemorate Bastille Day? Nearly a dozen countries across the globe have organised events and celebrations to mark the occasion.

The background of Bastille Day

In France, Bastille Day is commonly referred to as the National Celebration, or Fête Nationale. However, the English-speaking world has adopted the name Bastille Day to commemorate the moment in 1789 when French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille in Paris, a pivotal moment in the French Revolution. The first celebration occurred on July 14, 1790, precisely one year after the fall of the Bastille. Since then, it has continued to expand, and large celebrations are now held throughout the globe.

Bastille Day commemorates the 14 July 1789 collapse of the Bastille in Paris and, later, the monarchy. Originally built as a mediaeval fortification, the Bastille was ultimately converted into a prison. In some instances, political captives who spoke out against the king’s rules and laws were among those who were sent there without a trial or right of appeal on the king’s direct order. At the Bastille, citizens awaiting trial were also detained. Despite intentions to demolish the structure in the late 18th century, the Bastille had come to symbolise the Bourbon monarchy and the repressive acts they committed.

During the unrest of 1789, on July 14, a mob approached the Bastille to demand the arms and ammunition stored there. When the forces guarding the structure resisted, the attackers seized the prison and freed seven prisoners. The fall of the Bastille marked the beginning of the French Revolution, and consequently, it became a symbol of the end of the ancient monarchical regime.

In France, the holiday is known as “Fête Nationale,” and it became an official holiday in 1880. From the start, military parades, pyrotechnics, speeches, and public displays were included in the celebrations of the end of the strict monarchical rule. The slogan “Vive le 14 juillet!” (“Long live the 14th of July!”) remains associated with the holiday. Former French colonies and nations with amicable relations with France began to observe the holiday as well. Throughout the month of July, dancing, singing, and entertainment performances are performed throughout French Polynesia to celebrate the holiday.

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BASTILLE DAY ACTIVITIES

Find a local gathering.

More than 50 localities in the United States have established official Bastille Day celebrations. Some of the largest are located in New York, Milwaukee, St. Louis, and New Orleans, which all have large concentrations of French influence.

View a documentary.

The storming of the Bastille set in motion a series of events that not only shaped the trajectory of French history, but also had a profound effect on the emerging forms of government in the nineteenth century. Watch a documentary on the subject to learn more about the conflicts, treaties, and shifting borders that followed the French Revolution.

Host your own celebration

Can’t attend any of the largest Bastille Day celebrations in the United States? No problem. Throwing a celebration with a French theme is simple. If you’re not into clichés and stereotypes, you can have a more authentic Parisian experience by drinking what the locals actually consume. On a sweltering summer day, who wants a Citrus Pressé?

5 FACTS ABOUT BASTILLE DAY

The day is known as “Fête Nationale” or “National Celebration” in France.

The assault of the Bastille took place in 1789 as a result of escalating tensions between the monarchy and its subjects.

As a symbol of oppression and tyranny, the Bastille was singled out and attacked.

Since 1880, Bastille Day celebrations in Paris have included the largest and oldest military spectacle on the Champs-Élysées.

Although celebrations began the year after the assault of the Bastille, the holiday was not officially recognised until 1880.

BASTILLE DAY DATES