Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th's Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king's power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers.
Although the Bastille only held seven prisoners at the time of its capture, the storming of the prison was a symbol of liberty and the fight against oppression for all French citizens; like the Tricolore flag, it symbolized the Republic's three ideals: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for all French citizens. It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the birth of the sovereign Nation, and, eventually, the creation of the (First) Republic, in 1792.
Bastille Day was declared the French national holiday on 6 July 1880, on Benjamin Raspail's recommendation, when the new Republic was firmly entrenched. Bastille Day has such a strong signification for the French because the holiday symbolizes the birth of the Republic. As in the US, where the signing of the Declaration of Independence signaled the start of the American Revolution, in France the storming of the Bastille began the Great Revolution. In both countries, the national holiday thus symbolizes the beginning of a new form of government.
Forgive the history lesson. Today, Larry and I seem homesick for friends who are celebrating in France as I write this note.
While in Paris, Larry and I live in the area shown in my photos. It is only a short walk to the Bastille, and the statue of Lady Liberty...stands in a traffic circle. On warm days, Larry and I buy crepes, and a large Orangina to share and sit at the base of the statue (there are often other picnicker's sitting there) and we watch the Paris afternoon swirl around us.
Whatever your challenge is today, know that with a full heart and happy spirit, anything is possible...........now I shall go to Central Market and buy Orangina, to celebrate life!
Love you,
Me.
Bastille Day, the French national holiday, commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which took place on 14 July 1789 and marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a prison and a symbol of the absolute and arbitrary power of Louis the 16th's Ancient Regime. By capturing this symbol, the people signaled that the king's power was no longer absolute: power should be based on the Nation and be limited by a separation of powers.
Although the Bastille only held seven prisoners at the time of its capture, the storming of the prison was a symbol of liberty and the fight against oppression for all French citizens; like the Tricolore flag, it symbolized the Republic's three ideals: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity for all French citizens. It marked the end of absolute monarchy, the birth of the sovereign Nation, and, eventually, the creation of the (First) Republic, in 1792.
Bastille Day was declared the French national holiday on 6 July 1880, on Benjamin Raspail's recommendation, when the new Republic was firmly entrenched. Bastille Day has such a strong signification for the French because the holiday symbolizes the birth of the Republic. As in the US, where the signing of the Declaration of Independence signaled the start of the American Revolution, in France the storming of the Bastille began the Great Revolution. In both countries, the national holiday thus symbolizes the beginning of a new form of government.
Forgive the history lesson. Today, Larry and I seem homesick for friends who are celebrating in France as I write this note.
While in Paris, Larry and I live in the area shown in my photos. It is only a short walk to the Bastille, and the statue of Lady Liberty...stands in a traffic circle. On warm days, Larry and I buy crepes, and a large Orangina to share and sit at the base of the statue (there are often other picnicker's sitting there) and we watch the Paris afternoon swirl around us.
Whatever your challenge is today, know that with a full heart and happy spirit, anything is possible...........now I shall go to Central Market and buy Orangina, to celebrate life!
Love you,
Me.
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