Storming the Bastille in Paris

On 14 July 1789, insurgents stormed the Bastille in Paris. It was a medieval fortress representing royal authority.

That morning partisans seized up to 32,000 muskets from the Hôtel des Invalides. A thorough shopping trip, minus the essentials.

Local artisans made up most of the group.

The commandant moved 250 barrels of gunpowder to the Bastille for safer storage. An interesting definition of safer storage.

The fortress held only seven prisoners, including four forgers and one man suspected of spying. Hardly worth keeping the drawbridge down.

The official list of conquerors contains 954 names. Twenty-one were wine merchants. The wine merchants clearly brought motivation.

Governor Bernard-René Jourdan de Launay ordered his garrison to cease firing at 5:00 pm. He was killed after surrendering.

Its fall became the flashpoint of the French Revolution. Today 14 July is a national holiday. Scheduling demolition was efficient.