July 14, 2013
BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATED IN FRANCE AND IN AMERICA
Paris (JFK+50) The Bastille*, a royal fortress that symbolized the tyranny of the French monarchy, was stormed here in Paris 224 years ago today, July 14, 1789.
Champs-Elysess
Photo by Rama (2005)
July 14, 1790, the 1st anniversary of the taking of the Bastille, was declared "La Fete Nationale," to celebrate the French constitutional monarchy.
General Marquis de Lafayette**, who was a participant in the American Revolution, took the oath to the French Constitutiton on July 14, 1790 as did King Louis XVI. Lafayette was captain of the National Guard of Paris.
So today the people of France celebrate "La Fete Nationale," or BASTILLLE DAY!
*The Bastille was built in 1730 to protect the city of Paris from attack by England. It later became a prison for political troublemakers and spies and although it held few prisoners on July 14, 1789 and none of note, the Bastille remained a symbol of tyranny for French citizens.
Storming of the Bastille
by Jean-Pierre-Louis
Laurent Houel
**Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) arrived on North Island near Georgetown, SC on June 13, 1777. He was commissioned by the Continental Congress as a Major General in the Continental Army and on recommendation of Benjamin Franklin became an aide-de-camp to General Washington.
Lafayette participated in many battles including Monmouth, Rhode Island and Yorktown. In 1784, he returned to America and visited every state but Georgia.
The Marquis was awarded an honorary degree from Harvard and Maryland's legislature declared him a natural born American citizen.
President James Monroe invited Lafayette back to America for a 'Grand Tour' in 1824 and 1825. He traveled 6000 miles and visited 24 states. The Marquis was especially welcomed in Fayetteville, NC, the 1st US city named in his honor.
Statue of Marquis de Lafayette
by Paul W. Bartlett
Cours la Reine
Photo by Rama
More than 50 cities in the United States join France in celebration on July 14th.
They include Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia and Seattle.
National Flag of France
Photo by Wox-globe-trotter (2010)
General Lafayette's tricolor cockade was adopted in July 1789 and the French colors represent the three elements of the French Revolution: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
Liberte=Blue, Eqalite=White, Fraternite=Red.
DEMOCRATS NOMINATED LBJ VICE-PRESIDENT BY ACCLAMATION 53 YEARS AGO TODAY
Los Angeles (JFK50) Democratic presidential nominee, Senator John F. Kennedy, surprised many people, including members of his own staff, by offering the Vice-Presidential nomination to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson.
53 years ago this evening, however, July 14, 1960, the delegates meeting here in Los Angeles, made LBJ the Vice-Presidential nominee "by acclamation".*
1960 Democratic Convention
photo by Irv Brent
Library of Congress
BILLY THE KID SHOT DEAD BY PAT GARRETT
New Mexico Territory (JFK+50) Henry McCarty, better known as "Billy the Kid", was shot to death 132 years ago today, July 14, 1881, by Sheriff Pat Garrett at the Maxwell Ranch here in the New Mexico Territory.
The "Kid" had escaped jail, killing 2 guards in the process, after he had received a death sentence for murder.
Henry McCarty
a.k.a. Billy the Kid
BASTILLE DAY CELEBRATED IN FRANCE AND IN AMERICA
Paris (JFK+50) The Bastille*, a royal fortress that symbolized the tyranny of the French monarchy, was stormed here in Paris 224 years ago today, July 14, 1789.
Champs-Elysess
Photo by Rama (2005)
July 14, 1790, the 1st anniversary of the taking of the Bastille, was declared "La Fete Nationale," to celebrate the French constitutional monarchy.
General Marquis de Lafayette**, who was a participant in the American Revolution, took the oath to the French Constitutiton on July 14, 1790 as did King Louis XVI. Lafayette was captain of the National Guard of Paris.
So today the people of France celebrate "La Fete Nationale," or BASTILLLE DAY!
*The Bastille was built in 1730 to protect the city of Paris from attack by England. It later became a prison for political troublemakers and spies and although it held few prisoners on July 14, 1789 and none of note, the Bastille remained a symbol of tyranny for French citizens.
Storming of the Bastille
by Jean-Pierre-Louis
Laurent Houel
**Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) arrived on North Island near Georgetown, SC on June 13, 1777. He was commissioned by the Continental Congress as a Major General in the Continental Army and on recommendation of Benjamin Franklin became an aide-de-camp to General Washington.
Lafayette participated in many battles including Monmouth, Rhode Island and Yorktown. In 1784, he returned to America and visited every state but Georgia.
The Marquis was awarded an honorary degree from Harvard and Maryland's legislature declared him a natural born American citizen.
President James Monroe invited Lafayette back to America for a 'Grand Tour' in 1824 and 1825. He traveled 6000 miles and visited 24 states. The Marquis was especially welcomed in Fayetteville, NC, the 1st US city named in his honor.
Statue of Marquis de Lafayette
by Paul W. Bartlett
Cours la Reine
Photo by Rama
More than 50 cities in the United States join France in celebration on July 14th.
They include Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New York City, Philadelphia and Seattle.
National Flag of France
Photo by Wox-globe-trotter (2010)
General Lafayette's tricolor cockade was adopted in July 1789 and the French colors represent the three elements of the French Revolution: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
Liberte=Blue, Eqalite=White, Fraternite=Red.
DEMOCRATS NOMINATED LBJ VICE-PRESIDENT BY ACCLAMATION 53 YEARS AGO TODAY
Los Angeles (JFK50) Democratic presidential nominee, Senator John F. Kennedy, surprised many people, including members of his own staff, by offering the Vice-Presidential nomination to Senator Lyndon B. Johnson.
53 years ago this evening, however, July 14, 1960, the delegates meeting here in Los Angeles, made LBJ the Vice-Presidential nominee "by acclamation".*
1960 Democratic Convention
photo by Irv Brent
Library of Congress
BILLY THE KID SHOT DEAD BY PAT GARRETT
New Mexico Territory (JFK+50) Henry McCarty, better known as "Billy the Kid", was shot to death 132 years ago today, July 14, 1881, by Sheriff Pat Garrett at the Maxwell Ranch here in the New Mexico Territory.
The "Kid" had escaped jail, killing 2 guards in the process, after he had received a death sentence for murder.
Henry McCarty
a.k.a. Billy the Kid
