Every July 14th, France bursts into celebration—military parades, fireworks, and patriotic fervor mark La Fête Nationale, commonly known as Bastille Day. Most believe it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789. But as QI revealed, that’s not exactly true.

The Myth of the Bastille

Yes, the storming of the Bastille happened on July 14, 1789, and it was symbolically important. But the Bastille was no gruesome dungeon filled with political prisoners. At the time of the storming, it held just seven inmates—including a forger, a madman, and an aristocrat imprisoned by his family.

The attack was more about what the Bastille represented—royal tyranny—than what it actually was. The prison was stormed more for its gunpowder than to release captives.

What Bastille Day Actually Celebrates

As QI noted, France’s national holiday was not established until 1880, and it doesn’t strictly commemorate the 1789 riot. Instead, it celebrates the Fête de la Fédération, held on 14 July 1790—a peaceful event that marked the unity of the French people one year after the Revolution began.

The 1790 celebration featured mass public gatherings, feasts, and even King Louis XVI swearing allegiance to the new constitution. In essence, Bastille Day celebrates reconciliation and national unity, not just rebellion and bloodshed.

The choice of July 14 to encapsulate both events—one violent, one peaceful—is a symbolic duality, reflecting the French Revolution’s tumultuous blend of idealism and upheaval.

Conclusion: Why Festival Histories Matter

Festivals are often seen as timeless traditions, frozen in amber. But, as QI delights in reminding us, they are living, breathing creatures—shaped by politics, religion, accidents, and mischief. What began as pagan fire rites may evolve into state-sponsored nationalism. What we think of as innocent holiday cheer might have once been considered a punishable offense.

By peeling back the glitter and bunting, we discover stories of appropriation, reinvention, protest, and playfulness. Each festival is a palimpsest of centuries—a canvas of shifting meaning.

So, next time you’re setting off fireworks on Bonfire Night, or donning a Halloween costume, remember: behind the mask of celebration lies a world of quite interesting history. shutdown123