Le Quatorze Juillet

Just 10 days (plus a few years) after American Independence was declared, the French Revolution began.

The French Revolution

La Fête Nationale, usually referred to in Britain as Bastille Day, is the annual celebration of the beginning of the French Revolution, an uprising of the common people against the Monarchy, which began on 14th July 1789 with the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris.

King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, had become increasingly unpopular as the gap between rich and poor became wider. Despite re-establishing the previously disbanded Musketeers, Royalty was officially abolished in France in 1792.

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed by guillotine in the large public square now known as Place de la Concorde, which is situated next to the River Seine, nestled between the Champs Elysees and Jardin des Tuileries (which leads directly to the Louvre museum, home of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa).

Le Quatorze Juillet (14th July) is the start of the summer holidays in France. Celebrations are traditionally community events, parties with feasting and fireworks plus military parades.

Bastille Day in the UK

Every year, there are celebrations across the UK, often held by Anglo-French societies and town-twinning groups; there will be festivals in Reading (Berkshire) and London's Borough Market, Bankside area.

Dress up in Breton-style blue and white striped tops and a beret, add a moustache, onions and a bicycle for fun! Or go mad and hire a full Napoleon or Marie Antoinette costume or be silly and wear a French maid outfit. Alternatively, wear dark formal colours and add a scarf to represent a modern Parisian.

And this video will help you learn the words of La Marseillaise (with lyrics)... Bon chance et Vive La France!



Amazing France app for i-devices

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

The Birth of a Nation
(not to be confused with the 1915 film starring Lillian Gish)

American (USA) culture is so integral to films, TV and music absorbed by British audiences that there is almost no conscious division. There was a time that Britain ruled over this colony until they rebelled and, on 4th July each year, American Independence Day is the celebration of their independence from us!

We got over it… British children grow up with a barrage of Disney films and visits to Florida, understanding the terms ‘sidewalk’ and ‘elevator’ and using many Americanisms in their everyday life. Although a form of English is the unofficial/official language of the USA, it could easily have been French. Spanish is widely spoken throughout the Americas.

The Fourth of July is a United States federal holiday that embraces the implementation of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Americans across the globe traditionally celebrate with parties and firework displays.

It was almost a year after independence that the ‘Stars and Stripes’ was adopted as the national flag. It originally had 13 stars and 13 stripes, with a new star added for each new State that joined the Union. Today, there are 50 stars representing the 50 united States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Celebrating American Independence Day in the UK.
(party information from Novelties Direct)

There are plenty of events and parties already planned and, no doubt, more will be arranged as July approaches. London has the monopoly including events at Portman Square, Camden, Chelsea, Soho, Covent Garden and several other venues.

Anyone considering hosting a 4th of July party can purchase a pack of decorations, flags, tableware and other goodies online. Party ideas surely have to start with a free standing ‘Uncle Sam’ cardboard cut-out, over 6ft tall, to greet guests on arrival.

Add some ‘Stars and Stripes’ party bunting and flags, a large drinks cooler plus a few party hats: cowboy hat, sailor/ doughboy hat, Chicago gangster hat or Wonder Woman style headband... Just add guests to your American Independence Day party supplies and enjoy!