Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Celebrating 'Bastille Day' In France



African And UN Soldiers Join French Troops On March Through Paris For Bastille Day Parade To Mark 'Victory Against Terrorism' In Mali

* Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille, which sparked the French Revolution in 1789
* The annual military parade on the Champs Elysees in Paris draws thousands of people every year
* This year's guests of honour were UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon and president of Mali Dioncounda Traore
* The Malian presence recognised joint effort with the French to oust Islamists who had overrun northern Mali

Troops from 13 African countries that took part in the French-led war against al Qaeda-linked extremists in Mali marched with the French military during the Bastille Day parade in Paris to honour their role in the conflict.

UN troops in blue berets who are helping to stabilise the west African nation of Mali paraded with thousands of other soldiers down the Champs-Elysees Avenue in France's annual tribute to military might.

It marks the storming of the Bastille prison on July 14, 1789, by angry Paris crowds that helped spark the French Revolution.

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My Comment: Saw the Bastille Day parade about 15 years ago .... it is an impressive display.

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