14 July 2008

Bastille Day

"Any law that violates the inalienable rights of man is essentially unjust and tyrannical; it is not a law at all."
- Maximilien Robespierre, French politician/lawyer (1758-1794)

Happy Bastille Day. The French National Holiday (Fête Nationale), celebrating the storming of the Parisian prison on 14 July 1789. 
This act was seen as the symbol of the idea of the people over the monarchy and the uprising of the modern French nation. Just six weeks later, on 26 August, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen were proclaimed - putting forth the idea of sovereignty of the people, rather than the law of divine right of kings.
KJT - View toward the Seine from my apartment in Paris (2000)

4 comments:

Lara said...

There's a Rush song in there somewhere.

KJT said...

Snort! That made me laugh out loud. I believe you may be dating yourself with that reference!

Lara said...

Pretty music I hear
So happy and loud
Blue flowers echo
From a cherry cloud

Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
If you try to ask, "is it cool?"
"Is it cool?"


How's that for dating myself? Hehe. Egads, I'd better be careful or you'll take me seriously!


;)

KJT said...

Wow. The Brothers Johnson. Bringing the funk... nice!