Daily Current Affairs : 14-July-2023

Bastille Day, also known as the French National Day or Fête nationale française, is celebrated on July 14 each year. It marks a significant event in French history, namely the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which was a pivotal moment during the French Revolution. This essay will delve into the history of Bastille Day, the French Revolution, and its lasting impact on France and the world.

The Significance of Bastille Day: What You Should Know
Courtesy:People/HowStuffsWorks
The History of Bastille Day

The Storming of the Bastille

  • The Bastille, a fortress-prison in Paris, was stormed by ordinary people.
  • The choice of Bastille was due to its reputation as a place where political prisoners were unjustly held without trial.
  • The event occurred on July 14, 1789, and sparked the beginning of the French Revolution.
The French Revolution

Background and Causes

  • The French Revolution took place from 1789 to the late 1790s.
  • The discontent with the monarchy and economic policies of King Louis XVI fueled the revolution.
  • King Louis XVI’s reign was marked by widespread poverty and social inequality.

Impact and Significance

  • The French Revolution brought about profound changes in French society and politics.
  • It marked the end of feudalism, monarchy, and the power of the Catholic Church.
  • Revolutionary ideas such as liberty, freedom, and equality influenced nations worldwide.
  • The French Revolution advocated for the rights of the common people and laid the foundation for modern democracy.
  • The ideals of the revolution also influenced other countries, including India, inspiring freedom fighters like Tipu Sultan and Raja Rammohan Roy.
Bastille Day Celebrations

Commemorating the French National Day

  • Bastille Day is celebrated annually on July 14 in France.
  • The day serves as a symbol of unity and national pride for the French people.
  • Festivities include parades, fireworks, concerts, and public gatherings.
  • The President of France presides over the main celebrations in Paris, with various cultural and military displays.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

  • The motto of the French Revolution, “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), remains an integral part of Bastille Day celebrations.
  • These principles continue to symbolize the values of the French Republic.

Important Points:

  • Bastille Day, also known as the French National Day, is celebrated on July 14 each year.
  • It commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a key event of the French Revolution.
  • The Bastille was a fortress-prison in Paris where political prisoners were held without trial.
  • The French Revolution, which lasted from 1789 to the late 1790s, was triggered by discontent with the monarchy and economic policies of King Louis XVI.
  • The revolution brought about significant changes in French society and politics, ending feudalism, monarchy, and the power of the Catholic Church.
  • Revolutionary ideals such as liberty, equality, and fraternity influenced nations worldwide and continue to symbolize the values of the French Republic.
  • Bastille Day celebrations include parades, fireworks, concerts, and public gatherings, with the President of France presiding over the main events in Paris.
  • The motto of the French Revolution, “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity), remains central to the celebrations and represents the core principles of the French Republic.
Why In News

The Prime Minister will be honored to represent our nation as the Guest of Honour at the upcoming French National Day (Bastille Day) celebrations, strengthening the ties between our countries. This remarkable opportunity will foster mutual appreciation and collaboration on a global stage.

MCQs about The Significance of Bastille Day

  1. When is Bastille Day celebrated?
    A. July 4
    B. July 14
    C. July 1
    D. July 24
    Correct Answer: B. July 14
    Explanation: Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14 each year to commemorate the Storming of the Bastille in 1789, a significant event during the French Revolution.
  2. What was the significance of the Bastille in the French Revolution?
    A. It was a royal palace.
    B. It was a military fortification.
    C. It was a place where political prisoners were unjustly held without trial.
    D. It was the residence of King Louis XVI.
    Correct Answer: C. It was a place where political prisoners were unjustly held without trial.
    Explanation: The Bastille was a 14th-century fortress-prison in Paris, and its storming on July 14, 1789, marked the beginning of the French Revolution.
  3. Which ideals were popularized during the French Revolution?
    A. Loyalty, Piety, and Obedience
    B. Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
    C. Power, Wealth, and Nobility
    D. Tradition, Authority, and Hierarchy
    Correct Answer: B. Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.
    Explanation: These ideals, represented by the motto “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité,” were popularized during the French Revolution and became important principles for the French Republic.
  4. How did the French Revolution impact the social and political structure of France?
    A. It reinforced feudalism and the power of the Catholic Church.
    B. It led to the rise of absolute monarchy.
    C. It brought an end to feudalism, monarchy, and the power of the Catholic Church.
    D. It abolished democracy and established an oligarchy.
    Correct Answer: C. It brought an end to feudalism, monarchy, and the power of the Catholic Church.
    Explanation: The French Revolution led to significant social and political changes in France, dismantling feudal structures and ending the monarchy’s rule while limiting the power of the Catholic Church.

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