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Terrorist Attack Comes as France Celebrates Bastille Day, a Symbol of the End of Tyranny

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The attack on the French Riviera city of Nice Thursday, when a driver plowed a truck into crowds of people, killing at least 84, came as France was celebrating its national holiday of Bastille Day.

The holiday, officially known as La Fête National, commemorates the historic storming of the Bastille — a notorious royal fortress turned jail that held political prisoners — on July 14, 1789. The seizure came at the start of the French Revolution, which ultimately overthrew the oppressive Bourbon monarchy under King Louis XVI.

As Nice comes to grips with Thursday’s tragedy, several voices have noted the attack appeared symbolic in its motivation.

Read More: What Actually Happened on the Original Bastille Day

In his predawn address Friday, French President François Hollande said, “France has been struck on the day of her national holiday … the symbol of liberty,” according to the Guardian.

And French regional lawmaker Éric Ciotti said the attack came on a “symbolic day,” the Telegraph reports. “Families who were sharing a moment of leisure were targeted. It was a symbolic day in a symbolic place. That … motivated the attack,” he said.

Terrorist Attack in Nice, France

A woman whose shirt is covered in blood is helped after authorities said a truck slammed into a crowd in Nice, France, on July 14, 2016. French officials said more than 70 people were killed.
A woman whose shirt is covered in blood is helped after authorities said a truck slammed into a crowd in Nice, France, on July 14, 2016. French officials said more than 70 people were killed.Antoine Chauvel
Bodies lie in the streets of Nice, France, after a terrorist attack that left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.
Bodies lie in the streets of Nice, France, after a terrorist attack that left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.Antoine Chauvel
Wounded and dead bodies lie on the ground in Nice, France, July 14, after a truck crashed into a crowd on the Promenade des Anglais. Antoine Chauvel
Covered bodies lie on the street after a truck crashed into a crowd along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, during celebrations of Bastille Day on July 14, 2016.
Covered bodies lie on the street after a truck crashed into a crowd along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, during celebrations of Bastille Day on July 14, 2016.Antoine Chauvel
At the site of the terrorist attack, people react along the Promenade des Anglais after a truck crashed into a crowd during celebrations of Bastille Day in Nice, France, July 14, 2016.
At the site of the terrorist attack, people react along the Promenade des Anglais after a truck crashed into a crowd during celebrations of Bastille Day in Nice, France, July 14, 2016.Antoine Chauvel
First responders tend to victims of a terrorist attack in Nice, France, that left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.
First responders tend to victims of a terrorist attack in Nice, France, that left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.Antoine Chauvel
First responders in Nice, France, after authorities said at least 77 people were killed and many more injured after a truck slammed into a crowd on July 14, 2016.
First responders in Nice, France, after authorities said at least 77 people were killed and many more injured after a truck slammed into a crowd on July 14, 2016.Antoine Chauvel
Bystanders tend to victims after a terrorist attack in Nice, France, that left 77 dead and many more injured, July 14, 2016
Bystanders tend to victims after a terrorist attack in Nice, France, that left 77 dead and many more injured, July 14, 2016Antoine Chauvel
Bodies lie in the streets of Nice, France, after a terrorist attack that left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.
Bodies lie in the streets of Nice, France, after a terrorist attack that left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.Antoine Chauvel
Bodies lie in the streets of Nice, France, after a terrorist attack left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.
Bodies lie in the streets of Nice, France, after a terrorist attack left at least 77 dead and dozens injured on July 14, 2016.Antoine Chauvel
French police after an attack that killed 77 and wounded many more along the Promenade des Anglais, Nice France, July 14, 2016. Antoine Chauvel

Police have not commented on a motive, but French officials believe the attack was an act of terrorism. No group has yet claimed responsibility.

In Nice, people had congregated along the Promenade des Anglais on the Nice seafront to watch the annual fireworks, a tradition that lights up cities all over the country on July 14. Every year, France’s fifth largest city hosts several concerts along the promenade, where a military parade also unfolds.

“People were celebrating and it was so peaceful, it was a festivity vibe, it was right after the fireworks that the truck came and ran over people,” Maryam Violet, an Iranian journalist visiting Nice, told the Guardian.

 

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