Bastille Day, celebrated on July 14, commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris in 1789, a pivotal event in the French Revolution. The Bastille, a symbol of the monarchy's tyranny, housed political prisoners and represented the oppressive rule of King Louis XVI. Its capture by revolutionaries during the early phases of the uprising marked the beginning of a popular revolt against centuries of feudalism and absolute monarchy in France. The event is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and various festivities, highlighting the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity that emerged from the revolution and remain central to modern French identity.