The major event that took place in Paris in 1789 was the French Revolution. This pivotal revolution marked the end of absolute monarchy and the rise of republican ideals, fundamentally transforming France and influencing the rest of the world. The revolution began with the financial crisis and widespread discontent among the populace, culminating in the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. It set off a series of events, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the Reign of Terror, ultimately leading to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.