by E K Stapleton

Created on: June 23, 2008

For the French, Bastille Day is the equivalent of Independence Day for Americans. A day filled with national pride and a celebration of independence. Marking the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille prison and the start of the Revolution, it is a day packed with customs and traditions.

The celebrations start on the eve of Bastille Day. It is traditional for firemen to host balls at their local fire stations. The festivities include live music and dancing which often makes it's way to the street. The firemen dress in their uniforms, much to the delight of the ladies. What woman can resist a man in uniform? The Paris town hall also hosts a traditional formal ball on the evening of July 13th.

On the morning of July 14th the celebration gets underway with the start of the grand parade on Champs-Elysees. The parade begins with planes flying overhead trailing red, white and blue smoke across the sky. There is a truly patriotic feel as the parade is filled with military corps, tanks, policemen, firefighters and even the president. Many parade goers will arrive the night before to secure their spot as the crowds are massive. Most of center city is guarded with fences to keep the crowds at a distance.

By midday crowds start to arrive and seek a place to watch the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower. It is a spectacular show of live music, lights and explosions in the sky. The tower is set aglow with red, white and blue shining in the background. The stunning display can last up to two hours and nobody ever leaves disappointed. It's well worth the wait.

Bastille Day happens to take place during the Tour de France, which is a world renown bicycle race. Traditionally French riders take great pride in winning a stage victory for France on this day.

The president traditionally used this day to pardon offenders of minor crimes such as traffic offences. This was to alleviate overcrowding in the prisons. Last year the president put a stop to this tradition.

A garden party is hosted by the president in the afternoon at Palais d L'Elysee.

Traditions aren't only alive and well in France. There are many celebrations in the United States.

Washington hosts a large street festival. During this festival is when the annual waiter's race takes place. Waiters and waitresses from all over the world come to compete. Starting out front of Les Halles the competitors race 12 blocks up Pennsylvania Avenue, carrying a tray filled with glasses of champagne. Upon reaching the Capitol building they turn around and head back. This is definitely a spectator sport as the crowds come out in droves to witness the event. After the race the festival continues with live entertainment and concession stands.

New York City hosts one of the largest Bastille Day festivals. It is called the French for a Day Festival. It takes place on 60th Street on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Included are a large street fair and open air picnic.

A four day street festival takes place in Milwaukee. It begins with a reenactment of the storming of Bastille and includes a 43 foot replica of the Eiffel Tower.

A huge celebration takes place in the downtown French quarter in San Francisco.

If you've never attended a Bastille Day celebration I suggest you try it. Wherever you live I'm sure you can find one in your area. The traditions included in these celebrations make them events to remember.

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