On July 14, we celebrate Bastille Day, a French National Holiday celebrated by liberty-loving people around the globe.
In 1789, tensions were high in France as a growing group of ordinary citizens pushed for a national constitution. These French citizens were inspired by the newly independent United States of America and their newly formed Constitution that was adopted that same year. In May 1789, Louis XVI allowed the grievances to be heard, and eventually, the constitution movement gained some recognition in June of 1789. This led to the forming of the National Constituent Assembly on July 9 in order to draft a constitution.
Shortly thereafter, the French finance minister, Jacques Necker, who was sympathetic to the cause of the National Constituent Assembly, was dismissed. This led to growing fears that the movement was destined to be squashed by the royal army. A group of pro-constitution citizens made their way to the Bastille on July 14, 1789, in order to gain control of the large number of arms, munitions, and gunpowder stored there. The guards resisted, and the crowd stormed the Bastille and gained control of the cache of arms, as well as freeing seven prisoners being held at the Bastille. In the end, 99 died, and the event sparked the French Revolution.
July 14, often called la fête nationale in France, became an official holiday in 1880. It’s a day of parades, fireworks, public celebration, and pride. The slogan “Vive le 14 juillet!” (“Long live the 14th of July!”) is a common refrain on Bastille Day.
Perhaps you, too, can celebrate French Independence with a French-inspired party of your own.
Check our French Wine Primer.
See and download our French Wine Varietals Guide
Two classic French cocktails: the Sidecar and French 75.
You have to eat so try our take on the classic Coq au Vin.