Bastille Day

The European Union leaders including the Prime Minister of Britain and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will join President Macron of France to commemorate July 14, 1789, when Bastille fortress in Paris was stormed. This day marks the National day in France and the unity of the French people at the Fete de la federation on July 14, 1790. The prison of Bastille stands as a symbol of the French monarchy’s cruel rule, and the event marks the commencement of the French revolution.

The Bastille was stormed by rebels who believed in the motto: liberty, equality, fraternity. The Preamble of India has adopted these ideas from the French Constitution. Bastille is known to imprison political prisoners as well as revolutionaries who stood against the oppression of King Louis XVI, the last King of France before the monarchy in France hewed. The occasion aimed to set free the prisoners at Bastille leading to a deadly battle and the beheading of the prison’s Governor. The movement at Bastille is considered of historical proportions since it abolished Feudalism and aimed at the constitutional monarchy in France. Today it is celebrated with prodigious military parades, fireworks, concerts, and balls hosted by the French Government.

In fact, this is the best time of the year to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral, Musée d’Orsay, Château de Versailles and the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris since admission is free to all specific to this day. Just be conscious of the huge crowd gathering to watch the parade.

The event is given a twist in a film titled Bastille Day (2016) by James Watkins. In the movie, pickpocket Michael Mason is mistaken for a terrorist responsible for a blast in Paris and CIA agent Sean Briar is assigned the task of bringing the culprits to justice.

Contributor:

Subhrajit Samanta