Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14th each year in France, commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris by an armed mob on the same day in 1789. This event is considered a symbolic flashpoint of the French Revolution, which sought to overthrow the Bourbon monarchy and establish a republic based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The French celebrate Bastille Day, officially known as La Fête Nationale (The National Celebration) or le quatorze juillet (the 14th of July), to commemorate the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789. This event marked a turning point in the French Revolution and is considered a symbol of the uprising against royal tyranny and the beginning of the modern French nation.

The reasons the French celebrate Bastille Day include:

1. National Pride: Bastille Day is a celebration of French national identity and pride. It marks a significant turning point in French history and the birth of the modern French nation.
2. Freedom and Liberties: The storming of the Bastille represents the victory of the people over tyranny and the beginning of the struggle for individual rights and freedoms that are enshrined in the French Constitution.
3. Republican Values: The holiday reinforces the republican values that form the bedrock of French society. It is a reminder of the commitment to equality before the law and the principle that government should be based on the will of the people.
4. Historical Commemoration: Bastille Day serves as a reminder of the rich history of France and the hard-fought battles for democracy and social justice.
5. Cultural Events: The day is marked by various cultural events, including military parades, fireworks displays, and concerts that showcase French culture and traditions.
6. Community and Unity: It brings communities together to celebrate not only the historical event but also the unity of the French people.
7. Tourism: Bastille Day is also a significant event for tourism in France, attracting visitors from around the world who come to experience the pageantry and festivities.
8. Military Tradition: The day is an opportunity for the French military to display its capabilities and traditions, reinforcing the country’s defense capabilities.

Today, Bastille Day is celebrated across France with grand military parades (most notably on the Champs-Élysées in Paris), fireworks displays, communal meals, dances, and other public events. It is a time for French citizens to celebrate their unity, liberty, democracy, and the enduring principles of the French Republic that were born out of the revolution.