The major world event that took place in 1789 was the French Revolution. It marked a significant turning point in world history as the French populace overthrew the monarchy, challenged social hierarchies, and sought to establish a republic grounded in Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The revolution began with the Estates-General and the subsequent formation of the National Assembly, which presented the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. The revolution's radical phase included the Reign of Terror, leading to the rise of figures like Robespierre and, eventually, Napoleon Bonaparte. The French Revolution set the stage for modern democratic movements globally.