Bastille Day

**Bastille Day in France** Bastille Day, celebrated annually on **July 14**, is France's national holiday and a symbol of French unity and freedom. It commemorates the **Storming of the Bastille** on July 14, 1789, a pivotal event during the French Revolution that marked the end of absolute monarchy and the rise of the modern French Republic. The Bastille, a fortress and prison in Paris, was seen as a symbol of royal tyranny, and its fall represented the people's fight for liberty, equality, and fraternity. The day is celebrated with great enthusiasm across France, featuring **military parades**, fireworks, concerts, and public festivities. The largest and most famous parade takes place on the **Champs-Élysées** in Paris, attended by the French President and other dignitaries. Fireworks light up the skies over the **Eiffel Tower** and other landmarks, while towns and villages host communal meals, dances, and parties. Bastille Day is not only a celebration of French history and culture but also a reminder of the values of democracy and human rights that continue to inspire people worldwide.