When I was growing up in France, it was always called Bastille Day (or occasionaly Fete Nationale de la Bastille). The day they stormed the Bastille. I remember my first Bastille Day in 1955 when my father walked down the Champs Elysee at the head of the Canadian troops (he was the ranking general in France) -- one of the great days of his life. The streets full of flags, and the French were finally coming out of the post-War slump, and they had decided to party. I was in short pants at the time, and remember being picked up and kissed by all kinds of French women all day (I was alas much too young to take advantage of it).

yours, Peter T.