The Storming of the Bastille occurred in Paris on 14 July 
1789. While the medieval fortress and prison known as the Bastille contained only seven prisoners, its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution and it therefore become an icon of the French Republic. In France, Le quatorze juillet (14 July) is a public holiday, known as the Fète de la Fèderation (Federation Holiday). It is usually called Bastille Day in English.
The demonstrators invaded the Hotel des Invalides to gather arms (29,000 to 32,000 muskets without powder or shot) for storming the bastille. The prison was nearly empty of prisoners, it had only seven people: four forgers, two lunatics and one aristocrat. The cost of maintaining a medieval fortress for so limited purposes had led to take a decision to close it, shortly before the storming began.
The main purpose of the attackers was to get the large quantities of arms and ammunition that there were there. There was over 13,600 kg of gunpowder Bastille.
The list of the crowd ha about 600 names and the total of the crowd was probably less than a thousand. The crowd gathered outside around mid-morning, calling for the surrender of the prison and the release of the arms and gunpowder. Two representatives of the crowd outside were invited into the fortress and negotiations began. The negotiations continued while the crowd grew and became more and more impatient.
Around 1:30 PM the crowd went into the outer courtyard and the chains of the bridge were cut – injuring a person of the crowd. About this time gunfire began. The crowd seemed to have fallen into a trap and the fighting became more violent and intense.
The firing continued and at 3:00 PM the attackers were reinforced by French guards and other people from the regular troops, carrying weapons and also two cannons. With the possibility of a massacre Governor de Launay ordered a cease fire at 5:00 PM. A letter offering his demands was given to the crowd, but they obviously refused. But de Launay realized that his troops could not hold out much longer, therefore they opened the gates. The crowd dashed inside ready to liberate the Bastille at 5:30 PM.
Ninety-eight attackers and just one defender had died in the fighting. De Launay was dragged towards the Hotel De Ville by the attackers. De Launay who had been badly beaten and he therefore shouted "Enough! Let me die!" and kicked a one of the attackers named Desnot in the groin. De Launay was then stabbed again and again, so fell to the street, his head was cut off and fixed on a pike and then carried through the streets.
After this event the crowd entered the Bastille and stole everything, included weapons and gunpowder.
1789. While the medieval fortress and prison known as the Bastille contained only seven prisoners, its fall was the flashpoint of the French Revolution and it therefore become an icon of the French Republic. In France, Le quatorze juillet (14 July) is a public holiday, known as the Fète de la Fèderation (Federation Holiday). It is usually called Bastille Day in English.The demonstrators invaded the Hotel des Invalides to gather arms (29,000 to 32,000 muskets without powder or shot) for storming the bastille. The prison was nearly empty of prisoners, it had only seven people: four forgers, two lunatics and one aristocrat. The cost of maintaining a medieval fortress for so limited purposes had led to take a decision to close it, shortly before the storming began.
The main purpose of the attackers was to get the large quantities of arms and ammunition that there were there. There was over 13,600 kg of gunpowder Bastille.
The list of the crowd ha about 600 names and the total of the crowd was probably less than a thousand. The crowd gathered outside around mid-morning, calling for the surrender of the prison and the release of the arms and gunpowder. Two representatives of the crowd outside were invited into the fortress and negotiations began. The negotiations continued while the crowd grew and became more and more impatient.
Around 1:30 PM the crowd went into the outer courtyard and the chains of the bridge were cut – injuring a person of the crowd. About this time gunfire began. The crowd seemed to have fallen into a trap and the fighting became more violent and intense.
The firing continued and at 3:00 PM the attackers were reinforced by French guards and other people from the regular troops, carrying weapons and also two cannons. With the possibility of a massacre Governor de Launay ordered a cease fire at 5:00 PM. A letter offering his demands was given to the crowd, but they obviously refused. But de Launay realized that his troops could not hold out much longer, therefore they opened the gates. The crowd dashed inside ready to liberate the Bastille at 5:30 PM.
Ninety-eight attackers and just one defender had died in the fighting. De Launay was dragged towards the Hotel De Ville by the attackers. De Launay who had been badly beaten and he therefore shouted "Enough! Let me die!" and kicked a one of the attackers named Desnot in the groin. De Launay was then stabbed again and again, so fell to the street, his head was cut off and fixed on a pike and then carried through the streets.
After this event the crowd entered the Bastille and stole everything, included weapons and gunpowder.
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