Welcome to brain Stuff production of I Heart Radio. Hey brain Stuff, Learn Bolga bam Here. Within the English speaking world, the French national holiday commemorating the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille is commonly referred to as Bastille Day, but it's not called that in France. There it's simply called by its date, July fourteenth or cators julliet. And I should put in here that I never took French, but I looked everything up and I am trying many
apologies if I butcher the language anyway. Because the holiday is celebrated during the summer and is marked by fireworks, many non French often mistake it for France's version of
an independence Day. While its history is similarly steeped in revolution, this French national holiday is related to the birth of the French Republic, and furthermore, it's not the day Louis the sixteenth was guillotined, and it's not part of the story of Les miserab though it did start with a prison break sort of, when a group of Parisians stormed the Bastille prison on the east side of Paris on
July fourteenth, nine. They wanted weapons, and ammunition. Some prisoners were freed, but the actions of the protesters had much farther reaching consequences. The event took place within an already contentious political period during which the third estate uh non nobles and non clergy, sought equal representation and expressed anger at the burden of taxation. The Best Deal was a
symbol of the unchecked powers of the French monarchy. While the bourgeoisie or middle class, made political moves, Unrest grew in the capital among the working class, leading to the events of July fourteen and eventually culminating in the toppling of the French monarchy and the beheading of Louis sixteenth. In its seventeen for the icle, this episode is based on How Stuff Works. Spoke with Shanita Miller, interim executive
director at Alliance Francais Atlanta. She said the storming of the Bastille Prison was considered a demonstration against political tyranny. This was one of the most defining moments of the French Revolution, although not as politically important as other revolutionary happenings in France, like the formation of the National Assembly and the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the citizen on August six of the same year.
The Storming of the Bastille came to symbolize the French Revolution, and despite the many changes the French government has gone through since then, it's currently on its fifth republic. July fourteenth was named as the country's national holiday, but the storming of the Bastille in nine is not the only thing honored by the French On July fourteenth, they also celebrate another event that took place exactly one year later,
the Fete de la Feracion. At twelve months after the storming of the Bastille, France was an estate of relative peace. Louis the sixteenth continued to reign, although with fewer powers and the aristocracy had lost all privileges, and changes had also been made in the way the clergy operated, according to the BBC. To mark this optimistic phase of the revolution, authorities hosted the Fete de la Federacion on the one year anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille, which included
a festival in Paris. Queen Marie Antoinette even displayed her baby son and heir to the throne to the crowd. It would take three more years for the monarchy to be completely overthrown and totally abolished. It wasn't until seventeen ninety three that Louis the sixteenth and Marie Antoinette were sent to the guillotine for treason. So a few republics, one emperor, and a restoration later. French leaders were interested in finding a way to honor the beginning of republicanism
in France, and they looked back to July fourteenth. Whether they were looking to the initial bestial event or the fete was never explicitly stated. Nevertheless, in eighteen eighty the official national holiday was declared. Miller said, July fourteenth commemorates so many important moments in shaping a unified France. But it's understandable why the French referred to this day by
its date instead of bestial Day. In France, calendars are printed with Fette nacional on the date of July fourteenth. Houstaff Works also spoke with Anna Cumby, a teacher who lives in Toulouse, France. She said, the bestial day is an English expression, I've never heard it used in French. The word bastille now either refers to the neighborhood in Paris where the Bastille once stood, or to the historical
event of the storming of the Bastille. Also, it's different from the Fourth of July and that it's not necessarily associated with being patriotic in the way Americans tend to be. Our celebrations don't usually include flying French flags or wearing them on our shirts, or singing the national anthem. Still it's a big deal, especially in Paris. Under normal circumstances.
There are two days of celebration, with concerts, parades, and other entertainment culminating in a thirty minute fireworks display set off from the Eiffel Tower and the gardens of Rocadero. Other French cities hosts similar celebrations, though they will be muted this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. But if you can't make it to France to take part in the annual celebrations, there are plenty of options for Francophiles
around the world. Miller said, I always suggest looking up your closest Aleance Francaise, Institute Francais or contacting local French restaurants. These three groups will always find a way to celebrate France's national day. Today's episode is based on the article a Steel Day, the French holiday celebrating peace and revolution on house to works dot com, written by carry wit Me. Brain Stuff is production of my Heart Radio in partnership with house stuffworks dot Com and it is produced by
Tyler Klang. Four more podcasts my heart Radio, visit the heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows.