French Revolution timeline

  • War of Austrian Succession

    The War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) involved nearly all the powers of Europe (except for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the... Read more

  • Seven Years' War

    The Seven Years' War was a major military conflict that lasted from 1756, as a result of the French and Indian War that erupted in North America in... Read more

  • France declares war on Britain in support of the American colonies

    France entered the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) in 1778, and assisted in the victory of the Americans seeking independence from Britain... Read more

  • Treaty of Paris

    The treaty document was signed at the Hôtel de York – which is now 56 Rue Jacob – by John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and John Jay (representing the... Read more

  • Day of the Tiles

    The Day of the Tiles (French: Journée des Tuiles) is an event that took place in the French town of Grenoble on June 7, 1788. It was among the... Read more

  • Assembly of Vizille

    The Assembly of Vizille was the result of a meeting of various representatives in Grenoble, which took place on June 7th 1788. Its purpose was to... Read more

  • Reveillon riot

    The Réveillon Riot occurred on 28 April 1789 in the St. Antoine district of Paris where a factory which produced luxury wallpaper was owned by... Read more

  • Tennis Court Oath

    The Tennis Court Oath (French: serment du jeu de paume) was a pivotal event during the French Revolution. The Oath was a pledge signed by 576 out... Read more

  • National Constituent Assembly formed

    The National Constituent Assembly (French: Assemblée nationale constituante) was formed from the National Assembly on 9 July 1789, during the first... Read more

  • The storming of the Bastille

    The Storming of the Bastille, in Paris, was the flashpoint of the French Revolution and signified the fall of the monarchy and royal... Read more

  • The French National Guard is created

    The National Guard (French: la Garde nationale) was the name given at the time of the French Revolution to the militias formed in each city, in... Read more

  • The "Great Fear"

    The "Great Fear" (French: la Grande Peur) occurred from July 20 to August 5, 1789 in France at the start of the French Revolution. Rural unrest had... Read more

  • The August Decrees: Abolition of French Feudalism

    The next major event of the revolution occurred on 4 August 1789, when the National Constituent Assembly abolished feudalism, sweeping away both... Read more

  • The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Approved

    The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen of 1789 brought together two streams of thought: one springing from the Anglo-American tradition... Read more

  • The March on Versailles

    The March on Versailles, also known as The Bread March of Women, and The Women's March on Versailles, was an event in the French Revolution.... Read more

  • Civil Constitution of the Clergy

    The Civil Constitution of the Clergy (French: "Constitution civile du clergé") was a law passed on 12 July 1790 during the French Revolution, that... Read more

  • Day of Daggers

    The Day of Daggers or 'Day of Poignards' was an event during the French Revolution which occurred on 28 February 1791 when the Marquis de Lafayette... Read more

  • Flight to Varennes

    The Flight to Varennes ( 20-25 June 1791 ) was a significant episode in the French Revolution during which King Louis XVI of France and his... Read more

  • Declaration of Pillnitz

    The Declaration of Pillnitz on August 27, 1791, was a statement issued at the Castle of Pillnitz in Saxony (south of Dresden) by the Habsburg Holy... Read more

  • French Constitution of 1791

    The short-lived French Constitution of 1791 was the first written constitution of France. One of the basic precepts of the revolution was adopting... Read more

  • Legislative Assembly formed

    During the French Revolution, the Legislative Assembly was the legislature of France from October 1, 1791 to September 1792. It provided the focus... Read more

  • French Revolutionary Wars

    The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and... Read more

  • The Guillotine is adopted as the Revolution's official means of execution

    The guillotine became infamous (and acquired its name) in France at the time of the French Revolution. The device derives its name from... Read more

  • "Battle Hymn of the Army of the Rhine" is composed by Rouget de Lisle

    "La Marseillaise" ("[The Song] of Marseille"; French pronunciation: [la maʁsɛˈjɛz]) is the national anthem of France. It is a song written and... Read more

  • Brunswick Manifesto

    The Brunswick Manifesto was a proclamation issued by Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, commander of the Allied Army (principally... Read more