France Bastille Day: Find out what happened on July 14, 1789

France Bastille Day is an annual celebration, which occurs on July 14 every year. It is the country’s national day. Fireworks and military parades are organised to celebrate the day. A large number of spectators witness the celebrations. The day signifies the fall of the Bastille in 1789. This day is marked by the meticulously planned traditional military parade on the Champs-Elysees, dance, fireworks and illuminations throughout the country.

What is the history behind the celebration?
After the Estates General refused to dissolve and transform itself into a constituent National Assembly during the French Revolution’s early months, the people of Paris were highly agitated. The King, Louis XVI, had called troops and dismissed Jacques Necker, the minister.


After this, on the morning of July 14, the people of Paris marched to Bastille, the ancient Royal fortress, by seizing weapons from the Armory.

The crowd entered the royal fortress and released many prisoners after surviving several rounds of firing.

This incident was considered the first victory of France against the Ancien Regime (Old Regime). Hence, the storming of the Bastille is celebrated lavishly.

In 1880, Benjamin Raspail, a deputy for the Seine department, declared July 14 as a national holiday.

How is Bastille Day celebrated now?
Bastille Day is celebrated with great happiness and grandeur. As per the ministry of Europe and foreign affairs, the successive presidents of the republic changed and modified the day’s celebrations. To restore the tradition of revolutionary Paris, President d’Estaing re-routed the parade from the Place de la Bastille to the Place de la Republique.

However, the parade returns to the Champs-Elysees since 1980.



Participation of other countries in the celebration parades:
In 1994, German Soldiers took part in the parade on the Champs-Elysees. The participation symbolised the reconciliation between France and Germany.
Twenty-seven European soldiers also participated in the parade for the first time in 2007.
Indian soldiers were also invited to participate in the parade in 2009’s celebrations.
Fourteen African countries participated in the celebration parades in 2010, marking fifty years of their independence.