The pivotal event that began the French Revolution was the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Bastille, a fortress and prison in Paris, symbolized the tyranny of the Bourbon monarchy. As economic hardship, food shortages, and social inequality intensified, the French populace grew increasingly frustrated with royal authority. The storming marked a dramatic turn in the revolution, signifying the people's revolt against oppression and the demand for liberty, equality, and fraternity. This event is commemorated annually in France as Bastille Day and is seen as a key moment in the rise of democratic ideals.