Monday, the 14th of July, 2014 is the 195th day in 2014 and in the 29th calendar week.

This week is National Ventriloquism Week (USA)

General Events:

Bastille Day 2014
July 14, 2014 in France

Bastille Day is observed on July 14, 2014. Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on the 14th of July each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête Nationale and commonly Le quatorze juillet. It commemorates the 1790 Fête de la Fédération, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789.

The Bastille was a stronghold built in Paris in the 14th century. In fact, the word “bastille” means “fortress” in French. During his reign, Louis XVI used it as a prison and the structure became a symbol of his power. In 1789, rioters stormed the Bastille and proceeded to demolish it. It was an act of rebellion and marked the beginning of the French Revolution.

The anniversary of the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison was seen as a symbol of the uprising of the modern nation, and of the reconciliation of all the French inside the constitutional monarchy which preceded the First Republic, during the French Revolution. Festivities and official ceremonies are held all over France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées avenue in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, French officials and foreign guests.

Where is Bastille Day?
Nationwide France

Pandemonium Day
July 14, 2014 in the World

Pandemonium Day is a day of sheer bedlam, and utter chaos. If ever there was a wild and whacky, unorganized day, today it that day.

Everyone has a day like this once in while. Its a day when all sort of unexpected things occur. Its a time when everything is happening at the same time, and at a very fast pace.

Celebrate and embrace Pandemonium Day. Don’t let today, or any other day shake you up. If Pandemonium prevails, just go with the flow in a calm, cool manner. Sanity will return soon enough…..we hope.

Where is Pandemonium Day?
Worldwide

National Nude Day
July 14, 2014 in the USA

National Nude Day (also referred to as International Nude Day as it has gone global) originated in New Zealand when former rugby star and TV presenter Marc Ellis dared people to streak in front of Prime Minister Helen Clark. National Nude Day is a chance to keep cool on hot summer days. Nudity or nakedness is the state of wearing no clothing. The wearing of clothing is exclusively a human characteristic. The amount of clothing worn depends on functional considerations and social considerations.

While some European countries such as Germany are rather tolerant about public nudity, in many countries public nudity may meet social disapproval or even constitute a misdemeanor of indecent exposure. In many countries public nudity is forbidden outright on the basis that nudity is inherently sexual. Many states of the United States fine offenders on that basis.

In many contexts, public nudity has been more accepted, especially at designated areas such as nude beaches and, even in the United States, e.g. during World Naked Bike Ride events or Bay to Breakers. In some states, such as Oregon, public nudity is legal and protected as free speech, as long as there is not the “intent to arouse”.

So if you missed World Naturist Day (June 19), World Naked Bike Ride Day (June 11), or World Naked Gardening Day (May 14), now is your chance to celebrate au natural!

Where is National Nude Day?
Nationwide USA

National Macaroni Day
July 14, 2014 in the USA

Macaroni is one of America’s favorite comfort foods; macaroni and cheese is one of the most popular meals in the United States. In 1802, President Thomas Jefferson introduced it to the White House and ever since, it has been a hit with American families. In 1937, Kraft Foods decided to add it to grocery store shelves to help the American mom prepare meals for her family. Macaroni tastes great, is easy to make, and if your kids are bored, they can pour out a bowl of uncooked Macaroni and make beautiful necklaces!

Where is National Macaroni Day?
Nationwide USA

Historical Events:

1420 – Battle at Vitkov Zizka’s hill (Prague): Taboriets beat Bohemia

1698 – The Darien scheme begins with five ships, bearing about 1,200 people, departing Leith for the Isthmus of Panama.

1769 – The de Portolá Expedition establishes a base in California, and sets out to find the Port of Monterey (now Monterey, California).

1789 – Bastille Day-French Revolution begins with the fall of Bastille

1798 – US Sedition Act prohibits “false, scandalous & malicious” writing against government

1832 – Opium exempted from federal tariff duty (USA)

1845 – Fire in NYC destroys 1,000 homes & kills many

1850 – 1st public demonstration of ice made by refrigeration

1868 – Alvin J Fellows patents tape measure

1891 – John T Smith patents corkboard

1911 – 46″ of rain begins to fall in Baguio, Philippines

1936 – 1 million demonstrate to support French People’s Front government

1938 – Benito Mussolini publishes anti-Jewish/African manifesto

1949 – USSR explodes its 1st atom bomb

1958 – General Abdul K Kassem forms a military government in Iraq overthrowing the monarchy

1969 – The United States $500, $1,000, $5,000 and $10,000 bills are officially withdrawn from circulation.

1987 – Taiwan ends 37 years of martial law

1992 – 386BSD is released by Lynne Jolitz and William Jolitz beginning the Open Source Operating System Revolution. Linus Torvalds release his Linux soon afterwards.

2002 – French President Jacques Chirac escapes an assassination attempt unscathed during Bastille Day celebrations.