Happy Bastille Day! Vive la France!
Photo of antique bicorn hat and 18th-century French documents. The hat is late 19th-century from the prestigious École Polytechnique, founded in 1794 during the French Revolution by mathematician Gaspard Monge. In 1804 Napoleon awarded the school military status and a slogan: Pour la Patrie, les Sciences et la Gloire ('For the nation, the sciences and the glory.)" Students (called 'polytechniciens' in French) still receive and wear a modified version of the famous bicorn in all official ceremonies.
Under supervision of the French Ministry of Defence, Polytechnique is renowned for its undergraduate and post-graduate (Ingénieur Polytechnicien) degree programs in science and engineering. Among the university's famous alumni are two Nobel Prize winners and three French presidents, including Francois Hollande.
So happy to see you here. I hope you had a wonderful celebration. Were you in France? Hope life is good.
Posted by: Marilyn | 16 July 2014 at 05:29
Francois Hollande, hmmmm. I'm tempted to say bof !
The bicorne is fabulous.
Posted by: Colette | 16 July 2014 at 02:30
I hope you celebrated Bastille Day -- I'm late to the party! But as you know, always love a celebration!
How fun it would be to see these interesting hats instead of the flat tassel graduation caps. They're not really flattering for anyone!
Posted by: jeanie | 15 July 2014 at 13:58