Bastille Day

Spurred on by intellectuals like Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Voltaire , discontent had been brewing among the common people of Paris and France for decades. In the morning of July 14th, 1789, a crowd of about 1000 people gathered in front of the Bastille demanding the surrender of both the prison and he weaponry, ammunition, and gunpowder stored within. A couple of revolutionaries were invitied in, and negotiations began. Soon, the crowds outside the gates grew restless and pressed forward. A gunfight broke out and the revolutionaries, joined by members of the French Royal Army, stormed the prison. The prisoners were released, the munitions were seized, and the governor of the prison was captured and subsequently executed. Roughly 100 revolutionaries died in the attack.

Ironically, the French government that supported the American colonists in their fight for independence was the same government that was subsequently overthrown. Some French revolutionaries were a bit miffed that the Americans didn't take their revolution all the way to Britain. Under the leadership of Robespierre , the French revolution merely served to replace one repressive government with another. Robespierre executed thousands of French citizens on the guillotine in his Reign of Terror. Eventually, Robespierre lost his life in the same fashion.

Millions of people are expected to converge on Paris for Bastille Day celebrations. There will be plenty of music and dancing in the streets, and the champagne and wine will be flowing. The festivities will be capped off with a spectacular fireworks display and light show at The Eiffel Tower.

If you cannot make it to Paris for Bastille Day, you can celebrate with me! My birthday is July 14th, and this year I will be turning 40! Visit my other squidoo lenses, particularly The Money Online Network. You can also donate here.