On July 14, 1789, the people of France stormed the Bastille violently
adding momentum to the French Revolution. The medieval fortress and
prison had become a symbol of the King’s authority, who stood by and
watched as the French economy plummeted and taxes soared. The annual Bastille Day celebration honors this victory with one of
Europe’s largest military parades along the Champs-Élysées in Paris. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/14/bastille-day-france_n_1673185.html
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment