What event marked the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789?

The storming of the Bastille

The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, has become a powerful symbol of the French Revolution. On that day, the fortress, used as a state prison and armory, was besieged by a revolutionary crowd. Although the Bastille held only a few prisoners at that time, its fall represented the end of the king's uncontested authority and the beginning of a new era of governance based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. This event is still celebrated today in France as the National Day, or Bastille Day.