14th of July or “Bastille Day” if you are not French

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Paris Fireworks

Photo credit Yann Caradec

Bastille Day is the name used by just about everyone except the French to describe their National Celebration. Similar in phrase to USA’s 4th of July, France has the 14th of July. It’s a dual holiday that celebrates the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 7/14/1789 and also the anniversary of the National Celebration of unity of the French people on 7/14/1790 called Fête de la Fédération.  A show of fireworks is customary and millions gather to see the annual show around the Eiffel Tower.

A few more related pieces of French history:

  • The 1889 World Fair: Exposition Universelle in Paris was held to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille.
  • The Eiffel Tower, as pictured below, was erected to be the grand entrance to the Exposition and was the tallest structure in the world at that time!
  • The Bastille was a political prison and only contained 6 or 7 inmates on the day it was stormed in 1789 but its fall was considered the kick off to the French Revolution.

1889 Exposition

A few more images depicting the Eiffel Tower during its big debut:

Photo credits can be seen when you hover over the images–all from this Wiki Article and there are many more there!

These above images and more great ones are from this Wiki Article.

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Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale (French pronunciation: [la.fɛt.na.sjɔ’nal] ; The National Celebration) and commonly Le quatorze juillet (French pronunciation: [lə.ka.tɔʁz.ʒɥi’jɛ] ; the fourteenth of July). It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789; the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests.

There are over 50 U.S.cities that have annual July 14th celebrations!

Let’s join with the French in the celebration of Bastille Day! And why not do it with enjoyment of some French Food!

Simple but delicious summer combination. Fruit, Cheese, and Baguette Tray. With a nice glass of wine. Don’t make it complicated. Choose some fruit that is easy to eat. Cherries, grapes, melon and/or strawberries. These are so easy to wash/clean and put out on your tray. Add some cheese. Choose a soft cheese like Brie, a hard sharp cheese like Cheddar or Gruyere, and a pungent blue or gorgonzola. Leave them in large pieces with implements for guests or cut them up as you want. Some picks might be supplied for eating.
For the wine, please make it a favorite of yours. If there are enough guests, you may want more than one variety. If the gathering is more intimate, choose a favorite and go with that.

Add this wonderful French Baguette. Baked in your own oven. It’s available from Sturdiwheat and is as easy as the rest of this simple service. You can’t do better than this bread for your guests. And it is so easy to make. As with most Sturdiwheat products.  Just add water.  You will be an artisan baker with everyone enjoying this very special treat without having to travel to France. You might have guests just tear off pieces of the bread, or you could slice it in diagonal pieces to be enjoyed with the fruit and cheese. You might put out some unsalted butter for those who desire it.

Bread Harvest 3

You can form these loaves so easily and bake them just before serving. Or you can bake it early and serve at room temperature. But think about it – that smell of fresh bread in the oven for your guests. What an added indulgence. Enjoy the tray – Sip a favorite wine – and savor this warm, delicious baguette. It makes me hungry!

Oh! Don’t forget the French Crepes! Breakfast, lunch or dessert…these are great anytime. Beautiful and delicious with , fresh strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, lingonberry or any fruit preserves,  and cream cheese. Oh and of course the whipped cream!

Celebrate!!

crepes