Bastille Day, France July 14

July 14th - Bastille Day as it is referred to in English or La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration) and also commonly as Le quatorze juillet (the fourteenth of July), celebrates the day the Bastille was stormed at the start of the French Revolution in 1789.  It also commemorates the Fête de la Fédération which happened in 1790 which was a celebration of French unity where othas to the new constitution were sworn by high level French individuals.

The largest and longest running military parade in Europe is held on July 14th with the parade having around 7,000 soldiers (5,000 on foot, the rest, crew members or cavalrymen), 300 vehicles, 240 horses and more than 80 planes and helicopters.  The first time the parade was held was during Fête de la Fédération (in 1790) after which the French people celebrated for 4 days with feasts, dancing and parties.

Fireworks are also launched in the evening in celebration of the day. There are many events around Paris and the rest of the country, to many to be listed here.

Happy Independence Day France!