Celebrating France is always a joy, but there’s something especially meaningful about Bastille Day—when people around the world come together to honor the passion, history, and ideals of this extraordinary country. From fireworks over the Eiffel Tower to village festivals and public concerts, July 14th is a vibrant celebration of freedom, resilience, and unity.
Every time I see the French flag—le drapeau tricolore—I feel a deep sense of admiration. It’s not just a national emblem; it’s a powerful symbol of the values that define France—and that echo far beyond its borders.
Designed by the painter Jacques-Louis David, the blue, white, and red became France’s official flag on February 15, 1794. The blue and red were taken from the colors of Paris, worn by the revolutionaries in their cocardes during the early days of the uprising. The white, added at the suggestion of the Marquis de LaFayette, represented the monarchy—intended to express unity rather than division. In fact, just three days after the storming of the Bastille, King Louis XVI wore a blue, white, and red cocarde in an effort to show solidarity with the people. Sadly, that gesture wasn’t enough to save him from the revolutionary tide.
What continues to inspire me most, though, is how the French motto—Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité—resonates so deeply with the founding ideals of the United States. Both revolutions, born within a few years of each other, were fueled by a shared vision of human dignity, self-governance, and justice. The cross-Atlantic philosophical kinship between France and America laid the groundwork for modern democratic thought—an alliance not just of nations, but of principles.
On Bastille Day, as the French flag waves in celebration, it also reminds us of the timeless ideals that connect us: the belief that freedom must be protected, equality pursued, and community nurtured. In that spirit, I raise a glass to France today—with gratitude, admiration, and hope.
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