Bastille Day: What we know about the French national day

France rolled out the red carpet to welcome US President Donald Trump on Thursday on a presidential visit laden with military pomp that the White House hopes will offer respite from a growing scandal back home. The US president’s brief 24-hour trip to the French capital coincides with celebrations for Bastille Day, France’s national day which is marked on Friday, and the 100th anniversary of US involvement in World War I.What is Bastille Day?Bastille Day marks the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, by angry Parisian crowds. This seismic act demonstrated that ordinary people would no longer accept the absolute power of the king and signalled the start of the French Revolution which forced the creation of the modern French Republic. The July 14 “Fete de la Federation”, which marked the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille, became a French national holiday in 1880 and has been observed ever since.What was the Bastille?The Bastille on the east side of Paris was originally a medieval fortress built around 1370 to defend the city from the English in the 100 Years War. In 1417 it became a state prison and during the reign of King Louis XVI it was used to hold his opponents, who were often kept there for years without trial. On 14 July 1789, it was stormed by a crowd, in the French Revolution, becoming an important symbol for the French Republican movement, and was later demolished and replaced by the Place de la Bastille.What happened next?Just a few weeks after the storming of the Bastille, the National Assembly abolished feudalism and adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen as its constitution. This was inspired by the American Declaration of Independence and contained the iconic statement: “Men are born free and remain free and equal in rights.” France was finally declared a Republic in September that year, bring the 800-year-old monarchy to an end, and in January the following year Louis XVI was executed on the grounds of treason.How do the French celebrate?The main event is a military parade in Paris attended by the President of the Republic, currently Emmanuel Macron, who often invites other political leaders. Elsewhere in France host their own fireworks displays and dances.What happened in Nice last year?Last year a truck was deliberately driven into crowds celebrating the national day in the French resort of Nice, killing 86 people and injuring 434. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.