Here’s when Bastille Day falls in 2020 - and why France celebrates it

Each year in France, Bastille Day is celebrated, commemorating the turning point of the French Revolution in 1789.

France boasts the oldest and largest military parade in Europe as part of its celebrations, but what exactly is the history of Bastille Day?

This is everything you need to know about Bastille Day, how it’s celebrated and how the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has altered those celebrations this year.

When is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day is celebrated on 14 July each year.

In France, the day is formally called Fête nationale (“National Celebration”) and is also commonly known as le 14 juillet.

What is Bastille Day?

Bastille Day celebrates the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, and is a public holiday in France. It is now viewed as a symbol of freedom and democracy as the Storming of the Bastille was a turning point in the French Revolution.

The Bastille was a grand fortress that was infamous for holding political prisoners during the first moments of the French Revolution in Paris. It was viewed by revolutionaries as a symbol of the monarchy’s corruption.