Bastille Day
July 14 th is the French National Day (French: Fête nationale or 14 juillet ) and reminds one hand to the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 and the other hand on the Federation Festival ( Fête de la Fédération ), 1790, but on the the popular uprising involved in the previous year.
July 14 th is usually celebrated with military parades across the country and generally regarded as a celebration of French victories in the past. The largest and best known of these parades takes place in Paris on the Avenue des Champs- Élysées. At the same time he is also a popular folk festival with fireworks and balls that are traditionally organized by the fire department. In some cities, it takes place on the night of 14 July, in most but on the night of July 15. Outside of France, also a folk festival of the message is sometimes organized, for example in Berlin.
History
On July 14, 1790 the so-called Federation was celebrated, at which the king took off a solemn oath to the nation from representatives of all provinces and stalls. It is reported that prepare for the work that was needed, the Martian fields ( champs de mars ) for the festival, people of all classes and strata were involved. Therefore, the Federation Festival is regarded as a sign of solidarity of the French people.
On July 6, 1880, the anniversary of the Federation festival was declared a national holiday. The central place of the celebration was the Hippodrome of Longchamp, in a military parade took place as a symbol of reconciliation between the Republic and the army. The guidelines for the celebration saw before two program points that should surpass all others. First, the Army received new flags and standards by the defense minister in the sight of 300,000 spectators and the President Jules Ferry. It was also inaugurated on the former Place du Château d' eau (now the Place de la République) a monument with a statue of the "Republic ", which won an open competition the year before. There is also a big concert in the Jardin du Luxembourg took place, as the Senate had the Palais du Luxembourg based this year.
Military parades
Another milestone of the holiday were the celebrations on July 14, 1919 which coincided with the triumph of the end of World War II. For the first time troops withdrew all the nations of the Entente on the Avenue des Champs- Elysées.
During the occupation of the country in World War II have not been extensive celebrations were held. He is recognized by the Vichy government as a memorial, in the church is involved. However, it found traditional celebrations of the Free French held in London and New York.
The July 14, 1945 was another highlight of the holiday, when France again able to celebrate the victory and his freedom as after the First World War. The military parade ran from the Place de la Nation on the Place de la République to the Arc de Triomphe.
On 14 July 2007, approximately 1,000 soldiers marched from all 27 EU states at the military parade. EU Commission President Barroso perceived this as a " great gesture ".