Jul 14, 2000
Bastille Day 2000
This Doodle’s Key Themes
Bonjour! You’ve discovered our first-ever international Doodle. With two years of Doodles under Google’s belt, we felt like it was time to expand the homepage magic overseas by joining in on the festivities of Bastille Day, or France’s Fête Nationale (National Day)
On this day in 1789, French citizens united and charged the Bastille prison fortress, starting the French Revolution. The people of Paris fought back after years of mistreatment by the monarchy, and the storming of the Bastille represents the first victory against tyranny. On the one-year anniversary of the triumph, delegates from all over France met in Paris for a celebration called Fête de la Fédération (Festival of the Federation) to honor the achievements of the revolution in solidarity.
Today, festivities take place across France on le Quatorze Juillet (the 14th of July). Military parades march by in different cities, accompanied by aircraft flyovers that spray streams of blue, white, and red smoke. Dance performances showcase various talents, people attend free concerts, and the night ends with magnificent fireworks displays - just like in today’s Doodle.
Vive le 14 Juillet! Long live the 14th of July!
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