In 1789, on July 14, the storming of the Bastille by French revolutionaries. led to the fall of the monarchy in 1793. Several dozen noblemen fled the country or were sent to the guillotine. The French revolution continued for ten years as several groups fought for control of the country. Leading to the rise of Napoleon in 1804.
In 1789, the poorest prisoners were housed in the lowest parts of the Bastille with crowding, little food and rampant disease. Person’s with means could pay for better treatment, even fireplaces, wood, and real beds. They were allowed to have visitors, books and other luxuries. The prison was overrun with common citizens. They released the few prisoners, killed the guards and officials. The first celebration of Bastille day was in 1790.
Today’s celebration features parades, shows of military strength, musical plays, balls and a large fireworks display over the Eiffel Tower.
In this country, we may have Storm the Bastille celebrations but large celebrations are limited to French descendants. Unlike the American Revolution, which was the colonist against the British, the French Revolution was French people against their own countrymen. In the first eighteen months of the conflict over 20,000 were killed.
At the site of the Bastille is a monument to the start of the revolution. A bronze column stands where the Bastille originally stood. Traces of the buildings foundation is all that is left of the buildings and outer walls. They were burned to the ground by the storming of the Bastille. During the two year conflict scores of castles and church property were destroyed. Deaths from executions after the uprise vary but the guillotine was used in 1500 to 1700 executions, including the King Louie the 16th and his queen Marie Antoinette.
****. poem
Bastille
B Best rooms were for the rich.
A All who couldn’t pay were crowded with the rest.
S Symbols of status were clothes and servants.
T Toiling to survive was the norm.
I Insects and lice abound.
L Little could be done without paying the guards.
E Every item had a price.
S Some stone foundations is all that remains.
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Copyrighted 7/14/25
traveling up and down the blind highway 