Joseph Bara facts for kids
François Joseph Bara (born July 30, 1779, in Palaiseau – died December 7, 1793, in Jallais) was a brave young drummer boy. He lived during the French Revolution. He is remembered for his death at only 14 years old. He was killed by forces who supported the King during the War in the Vendée. He became a symbol of courage for the new French Republic.
Contents
A Young Hero of the French Revolution
Early Life and Joining the Army
Bara's father worked as a woodranger. His mother was a domestic servant. They both worked in the Palaiseau area. When Bara was twelve, his father died. Because of this, his mother signed him up for the army. This was during a time called the Levée en masse. This meant many people were asked to join the army.
Bara was too young to officially join the army. But he joined a group fighting against those who opposed the Revolution. These were called counter-revolutionaries in Vendée.
Bara's Brave Death
After Bara died, General J.-B. Desmarres wrote a letter about him. He told the government that Bara was very courageous. The general said that Bara was surrounded by enemies. He chose to die rather than give up two horses he was leading.
Revolutionaries saw his death as a chance to inspire others. They praised him in the government meeting. They said that "only the French have thirteen-year-old heroes."
A Symbol for the Republic
Bara's story became very powerful. It was said that he was trapped by the enemy. They ordered him to shout "Vive le Roi" ("Long live the King") to save his life. But he chose to die instead. He preferred to shout "Vive la République" ("Long live the Republic"). This made him a hero who stood against the old ways of the King.
His body was planned to be moved to the Panthéon. This is a famous building where French heroes are buried. A special event was planned in his honor. But the event was canceled. This happened because Robespierre, a powerful leader, was overthrown the day before.
How Bara is Remembered
Bara has been remembered in many ways:
- A painting from 1794 by Jacques-Louis David shows Bara dying.
- A statue of Bara (sometimes called Barra) was made by David d'Angers in 1838. It shows him lying dead.
- An 1880 painting called La Mort de Bara by Jean-Joseph Weerts also shows his death.
- Another painting, La Mort de Bara, by Charles Moreau-Vauthier shows him as a dead drummer boy.
- A painting called Bara was made by Jean-Jacques Henner in 1882.
- A street in Paris is named after him.
- He is mentioned in a famous song called the Chant du départ.
- A warship was named Barra in his honor.
- There is a statue of him in Palaiseau, near Paris.
- An opera called "Joseph Barra" was created by André Ernest Modeste Grétry.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Bara para niños
