July 14th is a public holiday in France, so I've got a day off (hooray!).
Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th's Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king's power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers. [Source: About.com]
COMMENT
Bastille Day is what English speakers call July 14th—the French refer to it as 'le quatorze juillet' or 'la Fête Nationale'. This morning there will be military parades on the Champs Elysées in Paris and this evening concerts and firework displays will take place all over the country.
ARTICLES
• Festivities, Military and Otherwise, on France’s Big Day (New York Times)
• Festivities, Military and Otherwise, on France’s Big Day (New York Times)
• Parades, festivities mark Bastille Day (France 24 with video)
• Has the French Revolution ever ended? (Irish Times)
• Sarkozy's royal Bastille broadcast (Charles Bremner's TimesOnline blog)
PICTURE GALLERY
• Bastille Day Celebrations in France (Telegraph)
