Origins of the 14th July celebrations in France
The 14th July is an important day in France, it is our Fête Nationale. Each year, it is the occasion for us all to celebrate Bastille Day… or is it?
As far as I can remember, I always associated the 14 juillet to the Révolution Française and to the Prise de la Bastille. I even had a school performance when I wore the Sans-Culottes‘ outfits and sang the Marseillaise when I was 8!
But, lately, I discovered an interesting fact about this particular date : it is not solely linked to Bastille Day.
I made this discovery recently when I decided to cover this important historical moment in one of my high advanced class at University. When researching dates and facts, I fell upon a video informing me of something incredible : the 14 juillet was celebrating two days, Bastille Day and the Fête de la Fédération.
A day celebrating two events
Wanting to check my sources to make sure this one was not just a silly video which was completely mistaking, I went on the French Government website. And what a surprise : it was true!
While we celebrate this date since 1880 and that the 14 juillet do refers to la prise de la Bastille, the population insurrection against the Monarchy, it also refers to the 14th July 1790 when the first ever Fête de la Fédération took place – an event displaying unity between classes, the population and the Monarchy.
While it did not work much after that particular year, above all when the Terreur was just around the corner, it is this date that came up, next to its 1789 counterpart, as the French Government had to decide of a date for an official National Day.
What is interesting here is why both were chosen. When time came to decide of the date to choose, the 14th july was put on small pieces of paper. Not the 14th July 1789 nor the 14th July 1790. The day alone.
It was agreed that the ones who believed in the Monarchy would choose this date thinking of the 14th July 1790, its image of unity and calm, while the politicians who did not trust the Monarchy and who believed in the République would choose the 14th June thinking of Bastille Day, the population’s revolt and its idea of freedom.
Mixed symbols
While not all French citizens know of this particularity linked to the 14th July, some symbols which we find on that particular day do show an influence of both days.
The military parade while being introduced in the late 19th Century to show the power of France after the loss of 1870, is a clear symbol of a Monarchy and is not without reminding us of other such displays taking place on the other side of the Manche 🙂
The fireworks are also linked to the Monarchy. It was in Paris that the first ever feu d’artifice of the Hexagone took place to celebrate Louis XIII and Ann of Austria’s wedding. Royals loved fireworks! It was reclaimed by the peuple during the Revolution but was quickly abandoned due to this strong link to the Monarchy. We had to wait the end of the 19th Century to see them reintroduced and being associated to a sense of unity and of joy for all.
The guinguette (picture on the left of one taking place in my family’s village a few years ago) and the Bal des Pompiers, both are clear symbols of the République and of the peuple. They both include dancing, sharing agredable moments with other locals. Both in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere without too much fuss.
Of course, the Marseillaise is, without a doubt, a strong symbol of the population’s unrest and the end of absolutism! One can not listen to the Marseillaise without hearing its connection and its strong anti-monarchist message!
Here is a video of the Marseillaise with english subtitles being performed a few years ago by Mireille Matthieu. I chose it as, although the images are not the clearest, the power of her voice goes perfectly with the meaning of our national emblem !
Now, when someone asks you about the 14th July and the Prise de la Bastille, you will know its exact meaning and will have plenty to tell 🙂
Bon 14 Juillet! Joyeuse Fête Nationale, un petit peu en retard 🙂