The Fall of the Bastille

The Storming of the Bastille was one of the most notable events of the French Revolution. The Bastille was a medieval fortress and political
prison in Paris. In 1789, France was in an economic crisis on account of helping the Americans in the War of Independence. Due to the political
structure, the vast majority of wealth was held by the aristocrats while the poor got poorer. These aristocrats opposed reforms and the anger
of the poor grew. On 14 July 1789, a mob of angry commoners stormed and took over the Bastille. In fact, there were only seven
prisoners in the prison but this was a symbol of their desire for liberty and equality. The fall of Bastille is commemorated on 14 July every year
with a large parade and the an aerobatic team of the French Air Force flying with blue, white and red smoke (colours of the French flag) in the
sky.