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The roots of Bastille Day – The French national holiday July 14th



 
Bastille Day - image Google
It was the start of the French revolution that saw a decade political disturbance, terror and massive executions. When revolutionaries marched on, and attacked Bastille, the royal prison and fortress which was a symbol of oppression and tyranny. Bastille Day is celebrated in France on July 14th each year.
The Bastille fortress


The Bastille was a massive and formidable stone structure that was erected during the Hundred Years War as a fort to prevent access to Paris and guarded by mercenaries and soldiers. On orders of the King and without a trial, many political dissidents were imprisoned in the Bastille and by the late 1700s it was marked for demolition.
A look at Bastille Day - image Google



Tough times lead to rising dissent
Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette inherited a huge debt from the previous monarchy but continued to make extravagant expenditures bringing the French government to the brink of bankruptcy. By 1788, there was rising unemployment, high food prices and shortages leading to escalating food riots, high taxes and a highly militarized Paris. Fearing an impending revolt, the governor of Bastille sought and got reinforcements for the fortress but it would not be enough to quell the rising tide of discontent and fear.

The storming of Bastille


The original intent of the revolutionaries was to collect as much firearms and gunpowder as possible. It began with a march Hôtel des Invalides on July 14 followed by the storming of the Bastille all with the intention of looting arms. A large crowd had gathered outside the Bastille with various weapons including makeshift ones. The guards were unable to keep the growing mob at bay and eventually surrendered. Attempts at a peaceful resolution quickly deteoriated. In the process, prisoners were freed in the violent battle that ensued, he governor of Bastille and his officers were beheaded and cannons and gunpowder seized.
The French national holiday July 14th - image Google






A peace offering from the King


King Louis responded to news of the assault on Bastille by declaring his support for the revolution which gave credibility to the revolution and led to the abolition of Feudalism. The Fete de La Federation, a year later was supposed to be a celebration of French unity but it was not to be. The rest is history as the saying goes. The revolution quickly grew into a brutal reign of terror that included the infamous executions of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Bastille Day celebration -image Google






Celebrating Bastille Day

It would be almost a century after the start of the French revolution that Bastille Day would become an official holiday commemorating the capture of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. It is an important day celebrated in France and by French nationals around the world. Bastille Day is also referred to as La Fête Nationale or Le Quatorze Juillet. Celebrations include fireworks, military parades and parties
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