France celebrates Bastille Day to remember the beginning of the end of King Louis XVI reign of absolute power and tyranny. Much like the American celebration the Fourth of July, France celebrates July 14th to remember the start of the French Revolution in 1789.

Residents of Paris stormed the Bastille on July 14, 1789. These French citizens were afraid of being attacked after the royal finance minister, Jacques Necker was removed from office just three days prior of their attack. They were seeking the arms that the prison held. The Bastille also housed political prisoners, arrested for their written work that criticized Louis XVI. French legend leads people to believe this mutiny was organized by the descendents of the Knights Templar, known in present times as The Masons.

Governor de Launay, the commander of the Bastille, surrendered quickly to avoid a bloodbath. The prison only had seven prisoners at the time it was captured, but a large assortment of weapons were seized. Only 99 people were killed in the this battle, one of them being a defender of the Bastille. Despite the surrender, seven other defenders were killed, including de Launay and Jacques de Flesselles, the modern-day equivalent to a mayor.

This revolt sent the strong message to King Louis XVI and the citizens of France that the power of the government should belong to the people. The Bastille had been a symbol of the king's tyranny over the country and his absolute power. The capture of this prison was a representation of autonomy and how the citizens of France should fight for their freedom. On August 26, 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was proclaimed.

Prior to the overtaking of the Bastille, on May 5, 1789, King Louis XVI called for representatives of the clergy, nobility, and common people. He was giving them the chance to voice their complaints against the monarchy. The Third Estate, those representing the common people, broke away from the monarchy and formed the National Assembly. June 20, 1789 marked the day the National Assembly took the Tennis Court Oath. This oath was a promise to it's members to band to together until a constitution was created. Seven days later, King Louis XVI recognized the National Assembly who, a few weeks later changed it's name to the National Constituent Assembly on July 9, 1789. At this time, they began writing a constitution for France.

One year after the fall of the Bastille, every region from France sent delegates to Paris. This was also a historical date to France as well as the world. It was the first time in recorded history that a country declared their right to self-government and autonomy. These representatives of the French citizens made known their commitment to a single nationwide society. Just two years later, in 1792, France became a sovereign nation and was the first republic.

On May 21, 1880, Benjamin Raspail suggested a holiday to celebrate the fall of the Bastille and the end of King Louis XVI's domination. Henri Martin, chairman of the French senate, spoke on behalf of the proposed holiday. "Do not forget," he said. "It [July 14, 1789] the consecration of unity of France" This proposal became an official French national holiday on July 6, 1880.

Bastille Day, just like Independence Day in the United States, celebrates the birth of a nation. Bastille Day is the French holiday that signifies it's birth as a republic. Just as with Americans, this day of independence is of the utmost importance to all of the citizens of France.

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