Today marks Bastille Day, the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille back on 14th July 1789, an important date in the French Revolution. Tensions rose beforehand between reformist and conservative factions as the country struggled to resolve an economic crisis. On 11th July that year, the finance minister of King Louis XVI was dismissed by the King, provoking an angry reaction among Parisians. Crowds formed, but were fearful of an attack by the royal army or by foreign regiments of mercenaries in the King’s service, so armed themselves. One crowd besieged the Hotel des Invalides for weapons, and another crowd stormed the Bastille, a fortress-prison in Paris that had historically held people jailed on the basis of lettres de cachet (signet letters). The crowd was reenforced by the mutinous Regiment des Gardes Francaises. Shortly after the storming the Bastille again on 4th August, feudalism was abolished after a very stormy session of the Assemblee constituante.
It also celebrates the year after when the Fete de la Federation was held, celebrating the unity of the French People.
A military parade is held as well as fireworks in Paris.
Holidays & Special Events 