7月14日「法國國慶日」了，這一天是為了紀念西元1789年7月14日，法國人民攻佔了象徵封建統治的巴士底監獄，終結法國的君主政權的日子。國慶日是法國最隆重的民眾節日，每年都要在香榭麗舍大街上舉行大規模的閱兵儀式，在巴黎鐵塔綻放閃耀璀璨的煙火…，這一天，全國無一不歡！
說到法國人民攻陷巴士底監獄的革命事蹟，我認為最具代表性的藝術作品，應該是德拉克瓦的「自由領導人民」了。雖然德拉克瓦並沒有參加這血染巴黎街頭「光榮的三日」，但他畫了「自由領導人民」，也展現了他內心自我犧牲、追求自由的精神。
;'l;
1. Bastille comes from the French word bastide, which means stronghold. It was formally known as the Bastille Saint-Antoine.
2. As the opening victory in the revolution, the storming of the Bastille is today celebrated as a national holiday.
3. The French National Anthem called la Marseillaise is a revolutionary song.
4. France's tricolour flag (blue, red and white) was introduced during the Revolution. The three colours represent the ideals of the French people – Liberte Egalite Fraternite (liberty, equality and fraternity) for all citizens.
5. There were only 7 prisoners at the Bastille when the people of Paris stormed on July 14th, 1789.
6. The Man in the Iron Mask was a Bastille prisoner from 1698 to 1703.
7. The famous philosopher and writer, Voltaire, and The Marquis de Sade were also prisoners of the Bastille.
8. Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a large Bastille Day celebration downtown that lasts four days. They even have a 43 foot tall replica of the Eiffel Tower! Other US cities famous for their celebrations of this day include New Orleans, New York, and Chicago.
9. The famous bicycle race —the Tour de France—takes place during Bastille Day.
10. The Key to the Bastille was presented to George Washington in 1790. It was built by Charles V between 1370 and 1383.
