Bastille Day is for France what the Fourth of July is to the United States, as it represents the start of the French Republic. This day also celebrates an act of rebellion against a ruling class. On July 14, 1789, lower-class residents of Paris raided the Bastille, a prison in Paris, to obtain weapons.
Bastille Day History
Even though the Bastille itself was more of a symbol and few prisoners were actually freed, the actions on Bastille Day helped spark the French Revolution. The lower-class revolted against what they saw a spoiled and oppressive upper-class, and they turned their anger against King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie-Antoinette, who became known for saying of starving peasants, "Let them eat cake." (While there is no evidence that she actually said those words, no one has defended her as a champion of the people, either.)
However, an act that represented the legitimate grievances of an oppressed underclass spiraled out of control in the following years. Robespierre, a leader of the Jacobins, was leading the "Reign of Terror." Many French, including Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and even Robespierre himself, lost their heads to the guillotine. Ten years later, Napoleon Bonaparte was in charge of France.
Modern Bastille Day Celebrations
Despite the turmoil and violence that followed Bastille Day, that day represents the fact that the people took the reins of the nation. The French celebrate every year with fireworks and a military parade along the Champs Elysees. However, Bastille Day is growing less and less popular with younger generations, partly because of France's ties to the European Union.
Beyond France, American cities such as New York City and Seattle hold their own Bastille Day celebrations as a way to partake of French cuisine and the café lifestyle. Instead of carrying pitchforks, the revelers are more interested in enjoying a good meal.
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