As a teacher, it’s essential to educate students about significant cultural events, including Bastille Day. This French national holiday commemorates the storming of the Bastille, a historic building in Paris, on July 14, 1789. While it’s an important event in French history, it holds relevant lessons about the power of collective action, democracy, and resilience for students today. Here are a few ways to teach students about Bastille Day.
1. Understand the history and significance of Bastille Day
Begin your lesson by introducing students to the history of the Bastille and the events that led up to its storming. Explain the political, economic, and social conditions that fueled the French Revolution and the significance of the Bastille as a symbol of royal tyranny. Help students understand how the storming of the Bastille changed the course of the Revolution and paved the way for constitutional democracy in France.
2. Explore French culture and language
Bastille Day is not just a historical event; it’s a reflection of French culture and language. Use this opportunity to introduce students to French music, art, literature, and food. Consider hosting a French cultural event or a Bastille Day celebration to immerse students in the language and culture. Encourage students to practice French vocabulary related to Bastille Day, such as “liberté, égalité, fraternité” (liberty, equality, fraternity), “fête nationale” (national holiday), or “drapeau tricolore” (tricolor flag).
3. Encourage critical thinking and reflection
Bastille Day is not just a commemoration of history; it’s an opportunity for students to reflect on the value of democracy, human rights, and social justice. Encourage students to engage in critical thinking by asking them questions such as: what do the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity mean to them? How are these values reflected in our society today? What lessons can we learn from the Bastille Day and the French Revolution about collective action, resilience, and social change? Encourage students to discuss their ideas in small groups or classwide debates.
4. Connect Bastille Day to other cultural events
Bastille Day is not the only cultural event that celebrates democracy, human rights, and social justice. Help students make connections between Bastille Day and other cultural events such as Martin Luther King Day, Women’s History Month, Earth Day, or International Workers’ Day. Encourage students to reflect on common themes, values, and challenges across different cultural events and to think about how they can contribute to a more democratic, just, and sustainable society.
