Bastille Day Facts
Bastille Day Facts
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| Interesting Bastille Day Facts: |
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| Bastille originates from the French word for stronghold - bastide. |
| Beginning in 1417 the Bastille was a prison for those who opposed France's kings. |
| From the period between 1420 and 1436 the English had control of the Bastille. |
| King Louis XVI asked, "Is it a revolt?" when he learned of the attack on the Bastille. He was told "No Sire, it is a revolution." |
| The mob that stormed the Bastille also stole all the weapons they could find to use in their revolution against the monarchy. |
| After the Storming of the Bastille and prior to the formation of the French Republic in 1792 many aristocrats were executed in France in what is referred to as 'The Reign of Terror'. |
| Although the Bastille had enough space to hold 50 prisoners, when it was stormed there were only seven prisoners, including one deviant aristocrat, two lunatics and four forgers. |
| Bastille Day became a national holiday in France in 1880, less than 100 years after the Storming of the Bastille. |
| The French celebrate Bastille Day as a way to recognize the significance of the Storming of the Bastille as the end of the royal monarchy and the beginning of its modern republic. |
| Bastille Day is celebrated in Paris with a parade on the Champs Elysees called the Bastille Day Military Parade. The Champs-Elysees is decorated with flags for the annual parade. |
| The French President usually gives a speech following the Bastille Day Military Parade. This parade is the oldest European military parade. |
| The Bastille Day Military Parade ends at the Arc de Triomphe, a large monument that honors those who died while fighting for France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. |
| Most municipalities in France celebrate Bastille Day beginning with a Mayoral speech. This is often followed by a war memorial wreath-laying. |
| France is not the only country to celebrate Bastille Day. In some parts of the United States, such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there is a Bastille Day celebration as well. In Milwaukee the celebration lasts four days and they even have a replica of the Eiffel Tower that is 43 feet in height. |
| Bastille Day is celebrated in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, India, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and in the United States. |
| The famous writer and philosopher Voltaire was once a prisoner of the Bastille. |
| In addition to the Bastille Day Military Parade in Paris, there are fireworks, dances, music, food and street celebrations in Paris and across the rest of the country. |
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