NEW YORK—On July 13, thousands of New Yorkers transformed 60th Street in Manhattan’s Upper East Side into a temporary Champs-Élysées in a celebration of Bastille Day.
The annual New York tradition celebrated France’s Independence Day, named after the storming of the Bastille, a prison that was raided on July 14, 1789. The event is considered by many to be the beginning of the French Revolution and a new era in French history.
There was no lack of enthusiasm or zest among the crowd, and that was especially true for Karim Simmons of the Bronx. One of many in the crowd with no French ties, Simmons was particularly passionate about France.
“Anyone can be French. It feels good to be French for a day,” he said. And did he turn French. Painting his face like the French flag and donning festive blue, white, and red sunglasses, Simmons has never left the country, but wishes that could soon change.
