The historic event that led to the signing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was the French Revolution, which began in 1789. This revolution arose from widespread discontent with the monarchy and the socio-economic inequalities in France. The National Assembly, which formed from the Third Estate, adopted the Declaration on August 26, 1789, as a fundamental statement of the rights and liberties of individuals. It emphasized principles such as equality, liberty, and fraternity, laying the groundwork for modern human rights and democratic ideals, significantly influencing democratic movements worldwide.