1. The Spark: Storming of the Bastille
On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison infamous for housing political dissidents. This dramatic act symbolized the people’s rejection of royal oppression and ignited the flames of revolution across France. The Bastille’s fall became a powerful rallying point, inspiring revolutionary fervor and uniting citizens under a common cause. Its destruction remains a defining moment in the struggle for freedom. Learn more at History.com.
