by Kimberly K

Created on: June 18, 2008   Last Updated: December 09, 2010

The storming of the Bastille took place on July 14, 1789. It is considered to be the root from which the French Revolution rapidly grew. While the prison only held seven prisoners at the time, and was set to be closed, it was a symbol of the monarchy's absolute power. Insurgents saw the capture of the Bastille as an end to that control. The attackers were also hoping to obtain the large amount of gunpowder stored there.

The march on the Bastille was seen as a symbol of liberty for all in France, and like the tricolor flag stands for Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for all French citizens. It meant the end of absolute monarchy. The next century brought several types of government for France, but the period of the French Revolution sought changes in government that matched the principles of nationalism, citizenship, and inalienable rights brought forth with the Enlightenment period.

Bastille Day was declared a national holiday on July 6, 1880, once the Republic had been well established. It commemorates the Fete de la Federation which fell on the one year anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. During this celebration delegates from every region of France proclaimed their allegiance to a single national community. There was an official celebration, followed by a large feast held to celebrate the creation of the constitutional monarchy.

There were some important dates the lead to the declaration of July 14th as a National Holiday in France. On June 30 1878, there was a feast held in Paris designed to honor the Republic, and which was captured in the painting Rue Montorgueil by Claude Monet. Then on July 14 1879 there was a feast held with a more official tone. Events organized for that day included a military review in Longchamp, a reception in the Chambre of Deputies, and a Republican Feast in the pre Catelan with Louis Blanc and Victor Hugo.

In France the holiday is actually called Fete Nationale (National Holiday) or quatorze juillet (the fourteenth of July). There is normally dancing in Bastille Square on the night of the thirteenth, as well as the Incredible Picnic, and the Gay Ball. Festivities continue the morning of the fourteenth with the main celebration held on the on the Champs-lyses avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic. There is a military parade that includes cadets, infantry troops, motorized troops, and a military fly-past. The President traditionally throws a garden party at the Palais de l'Elysee. It is also been tradition

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