One of the most powerful movements in world history started with a spark in this key year.

The **French Revolution began in the year 1789**. It was not just a historical event in France, but a major turning point for the world. The revolution was driven by people who were tired of the king’s power, high taxes, and unfair treatment of the poor and middle classes.

France, at that time, was ruled by King Louis XVI. The government was in debt, the people were starving, and society was divided into three classes or “estates.” The first two estates (clergy and nobility) had most of the power, while the third estate (common people) had very little say and carried most of the burden.

In May 1789, the Estates-General meeting was called by the king, and it soon turned into a protest by the third estate. By July 14, 1789, the storming of the **Bastille** (a royal prison) became a symbol of the people’s fight against oppression. That day is now celebrated as France’s National Day.

The revolution brought big changes. The monarchy was overthrown, the king and queen were executed, and ideas like liberty, equality, and fraternity spread across Europe. It also influenced future movements, including the American Civil War and modern democracies.

Understanding the start of the French Revolution in 1789 helps us see how people can unite to demand fairness and change when society becomes deeply unequal.