Bastille Day: A Celebration of French Independence and a Song by Rush

by Mo Tickleson, Staff Writer

While we normally run a 4^th of July-themed article, this year we want to prove that we’re a forward-thinking, globally-aware newspaper. So we’re turning the spotlight on July 14, Bastille Day. Formally known across the pond as La Fête Nationale, it earned status as a French national holiday in 1790 or 1880, depending on which website you come across.  

Here’s a run-down on the events leading up to Bastille Day.

King Louis XVI

THE SETTING: France in the 1780s. 

THE CHARACTERS: (1) King Louis XVI, a shy, indecisive and irresponsible man more interested in hunting than ruling a country; (2) His wife, Marie Antoinette, who Louis married before either one was old enough to drive. Their marriage was a strategic alliance of families (his dealt in Bourbon, hers in Coke). Louis’ shyness and his fear of the manipulative Marie was so great that it took seven years before they could consummate their marriage.

THE SCENE: It was a time of great political and financial crisis. The poor were hungry, the businessmen felt unheard and the commoners were growing disgruntled with Louis and Marie who ran a corrupt system that favored an absolute monarchy. 

The French economic crisis caused the price of flour to grow astronomically, and this lead to rioting in the streets, for who were the French without baguettes and croissants? (It should be noted that Marie Antoinette never actually uttered the words: “Let them eat cake” when confronted with the bread shortage of the peasants. What she actually said was: “Don’t let them eat my cake.” Such was the French upper-class state of mind, probably a major contributing factor to Marie’s eventual beheading.)

THE PLOT THICKENS: As King, Louis did a good job of getting France deep into debt and repelling any original supporters by taxing them. His tax reform charged everyone except the Nobility, the Clergy and the Donald. The Third Estate (a.k.a. the commoners or 98% of France) finally revolted. Under the Tennis Court Oath of 1789, the Third Estate created a new National Assembly. They also voted to begin wearing only white on the courts. Louis did not approve and misplaced his anger by firing his popular Finance Minister, Jacques Necker.

The storming of the Bastille - Paris, July 14, 1789

THE BEGINNING OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: The rise of the Third Estate incited fear and anxiety in the capital. Parisians panicked as general violence and rumors about a military coup began to spread.

On July 14, 1789, a group of commoners (mostly salesman, craftsman and unemployed drunkards) stole 28,000 military rifles. They then discovered the rifles had no gun powder. So off they went to the Bastille – the well-stocked royal prison where Louis and Marie locked up anyone who disagreed with them. 

The rioters arrived at a time when very few guards were on duty (most had fled to the Riviera for summer holiday). The guard in charge, the Marquis de Launay, called for backup. Unfortunately for him, when backup arrived, they joined forces with the mob and—in Jerry Bruckheimer-like fashion—easily stormed the Bastille, freed the prisoners and started a Revolution. 

Today the French celebrate Bastille Day much like Americans —with fireworks (this year set to a disco soundtrack!) parades and festive dances. Here in the USA, you can celebrate by singing along to the 1976 song “Bastille Day” by the band Rush.