It's true: there are people in France who refuse to recognize Bastille Day because it celebrates a revolution that killed aristocrats and priests, destroyed churches and libraries, and plunged France into half a century of political chaos. But that was then, this is now, and we can hope that all is forgiven. So, here's what's going on. Don your beret, slip on a blue-blanc-rouge garter, whatever; just get out there and shout “Vive la France!”

--Ronald Holden