Bastille Day / Seng Hui Zanne

Every 14th of July, the French celebrate their National Day, also known as Bastille Day in English-speaking countries. In France, people will say either "la fete nationale" (national day) or "le quatorze juillet" (the 14th of July) instead of "Bastille Day". When you want to wish the French on the National Day, you can say “Joyeux 14 juillet” (Joyeux: Happy; 14 juillet: 14th July) or “Bonne fete nationale” (Bonne: Good; fete nationale: national day). On 14 July 1789, the people of Paris attacked La Bastille, a me-dieval fortification and a state prison in Paris. Political prisoners and those detained under the King's direct order with no chance of appeal, were often imprisoned there. La Bastille is a symbol of the harsh ruling of the monarchy. The citizens seized the weapons to fight the King's troops.