The event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution was the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Bastille was a fortress and prison in Paris, symbolizing the tyranny of the monarchy. Its storming marked a turning point when revolutionaries sought gunpowder and arms to defend themselves against the oppressive regime of King Louis XVI. The event is often viewed as a symbol of the people's uprising against absolutism and is celebrated in France as Bastille Day, a national holiday. The revolution led to the establishment of a republic and paved the way for significant social and political change.