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Estates-General convenes
The Estates-General is summoned for the first time in 175 years. He is called to represent the social classes of French society. -
Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly
A group of people unite to form the National Assembly. They declare that they represent the Third Estate, or the common people, in government. -
Storming of the Bastille
The Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison in Paris, is stormed by about 1,000 revolutionaries seeking gunpowder. They had already raided armories, collecting 30,000 muskets. -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen issued
An important document of the French Revolution. It declares the natural rights of men, and the rights given to each Estate. -
Louis XVI executed
Louis XVI, the king of France at the time, was tried and found guilty of treason. He was executed by the guillotine, symbolizing the fall of the monarchy. -
Maximilien Robespierre assumes leadership of the Committee of Public Safety
Maximilien Robespierre is elected to the Committee of Public Safety and assumes leadership. He leads the committee until July of 1794. -
Robespierre is guillotined
The day before, Robespierre had tried to commit suicide after being arrested by shooting himself in the face. He only managed to shatter his lower jaw, and lived until he was guillotined the next day. -
Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power
Napoleon seizes power of France after his Egyptian expedition. He becomes the most powerful man in France. -
Napoleon is defeated by the British at the Battle of Waterloo
The allied forces of the seventh coalition defeat Napoleon at Waterloo. His political and military career end here.
