What event is commonly associated with the start of the French Revolution?

The Storming of the Bastille is commonly recognized as the event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution. On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries attacked the Bastille, a fortress and prison in Paris that symbolized the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy. This act was not only a physical assault on a royal prison but also a powerful symbolic gesture representing the uprising of the people against oppressive rule. The Bastille itself was seen as a bastion of royal authority. Its capture signified the revolt against the king's power and the desire for liberty and democratic governance.

The significance of this event extends beyond its immediate consequences; it galvanized public support for the revolutionary movement and is still celebrated in France as Bastille Day, a national holiday. This energized the revolutionary spirit, leading to further actions and declarations that ultimately shaped the future of France.

In contrast, while the execution of King Louis XVI was a pivotal moment in the Revolution, it occurred after the revolution had already begun and was a culmination of the unrest that had started with earlier events, including the Storming of the Bastille. The signing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the establishment of the National Assembly were also critical developments that occurred after the initial outbreak of revolution and