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Bastille Day

Definition

Bastille Day refers to the French national holiday that commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, which marked a key turning point in the French Revolution.

Analogy

Imagine if your school had a special day called "Locker Liberation Day" to celebrate students' freedom from oppressive rules. It would be like a big party where everyone storms the principal's office and takes over, symbolizing their desire for change and overthrowing authority.

Related terms

Nobility: Refers to the social class in pre-revolutionary France composed of individuals who held hereditary titles and privileges. They were often underrepresented in sources after Bastille Day due to their loss of power.

Clergy: The religious class in pre-revolutionary France, including priests and bishops. Their perspectives may also be underrepresented as they faced significant challenges during the revolution.

Peasantry: The rural farming class that made up the majority of French society during this time. Despite being heavily impacted by events after Bastille Day, their perspectives are often underrepresented in historical sources.