Bastille Day - Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Bastille Day Celebration in the
Heart of Warren County!

France in the later 1780’s was a country ruled by a corrupt aristocracy. The country was nearing bankruptcy, the poor had little to no food and the growing middle-class (bourgeoisie) felt powerless over the future of their country. Outraged, the group of Parisians banned together on July 14, 1789, and stormed the Bastille prison, releasing 7 prisoners. On July 16, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette recognized the revolutionaries, prior to fleeing the Versailles for refuge.

This march on the Bastille, a symbol of the hypocrisy and corruption of France’s political system, marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The lasting significance of this event was the recognition that power was not held be the King or God, but by the people.

Bastille Day was proclaimed a French National holiday in 1880 and in 1848 the motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” was reinstated. An annual celebration of their independence, Bastille Day is generally celebrated with an impressive parade up the Champs Elysees, festivals, and fireworks.

Come to the Buckwood Bistro on Wednesday July 14th
and celebrate with Jean Louis all day long !

Our Special Bastille Day Menu includes:

French Hors d'oeuvres
Half Roasted Free Range Chicken served with
Waffle Potatoes, Summer Vegetables
Tart Aux Pommes
$18.95



84 Route 46 East • Delaware, NJ 07833

What is Bastille Day ?

Bastille Day is for France what the Fourth of July is to the United States, as it represents the start of the French Republic. This day also celebrates an act of rebellion against a ruling class. On July 14, 1789, lower-class residents of Paris raided the Bastille, a prison in Paris, to obtain weapons.

 

Bastille Day History

Even though the Bastille itself was more of a symbol and few prisoners were actually freed, the actions on Bastille Day helped spark the French Revolution. The lower-class revolted against what they saw a spoiled and oppressive upper-class, and they turned their anger against King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie-Antoinette, who became known for saying of starving peasants, “Let them eat cake.” (While there is no evidence that she actually said those words, no one has defended her as a champion of the people, either.)

However, an act that represented the legitimate grievances of an oppressed underclass spiraled out of control in the following years. Robespierre, a leader of the Jacobins, was leading the “Reign of Terror.” Many French, including Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette and even Robespierre himself, lost their heads to the guillotine. Ten years later, Napoleon Bonaparte was in charge of France.

Modern Bastille Day Celebrations

Despite the turmoil and violence that followed Bastille Day, that day represents the fact that the people took the reins of the nation. The French celebrate every year with fireworks and a military parade along the Champs Elysees. However, Bastille Day is growing less and less popular with younger generations, partly because of France’s ties to the European Union.

Beyond France, American cities such as New York City and Seattle hold their own Bastille Day celebrations as a way to partake of French cuisine and the café lifestyle. Instead of carrying pitchforks, the revelers are more interested in enjoying a good meal.