Bastille Day

Bastille Day is the French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July each year. It is called Fête Nationale (National Holiday) in France. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the Fête de la Fédération was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French "nation," and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution.

Current festivities

14 July is the French national day, simply called Fête nationale or 14 juillet (though it is generally referred to as Bastille Day in English). Many cities hold fireworks during the night. It is also customary that firefighters organise dancing parties (bals du 14 juillet).

Related Topics:
14 July - Bastille Day - Firefighter

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The day officially celebrates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, though it is often associated, even in France, with the Storming of the Bastille.

Related Topics:
1790 - Fête de la Fédération - Storming of the Bastille

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Military parades are held on the morning of 14 July, the largest of which takes place on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic.

Related Topics:
14 July - Champs-Élysées - Paris - President of the Republic

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The parade opens with cadets from certain schools (École Polytechnique, Saint-Cyr, École Navale, and so forth), then other infantry troops, then motorised troops; aviation of the Patrouille de France flies above. In recent times, it has become customary to invite units from France's close allies into the parade; for instance, in 2002, cadets from the United States Military Academy paraded.http://www.ambafrance-us.org/atoz/14july_parade.asp.

Related Topics:
Cadet - École Polytechnique - Saint-Cyr - École Navale - Infantry - Aviation - Patrouille de France - 2002 - United States Military Academy

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The parade also involves the French Republican Guard, and occasionally (non-military) police units; it always ends with the much-cheered and popular Paris Fire Brigade (which, exceptionally, has military status in France). Traditionally, the students of the École Polytechnique set up some form of joke.

Related Topics:
French Republican Guard - Police - Paris Fire Brigade

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The president then gives an interview to members of the press, discussing the situation of the country, recent events and projects for the future. He also holds a garden party at the Palais de l'Elisée.

Related Topics:
President - Interview - Garden party - Palais de l'Elisée

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Bastille Day also falls during the running of the Tour de France, and is traditionally the day upon which French riders will make a special effort to take a stage victory for France.

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