The Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)
Beginning at midnight on July 14, 1789, it was more than evident that the Milice Bourgeoisie (Parisian Militia) had full control over the streets of Paris.¹ With this authority over the city, they would stop all vehicles attempting to leave and redirect them to the Place de Greve to be searched. The militia were scouring the whole city to find supplies and weapons to support the insurgency, but what they found was not enough. Eventually this would lead to them turning their sights towards the Bastille in search for gunpowder.
On approach, the governor of the fortification Bernard René
Jourdan De Launay, had put out a flag of peace.² This gave a detachment of
French guards and some militia men confidence to advance into the outer
courtyard of the stronghold. Little did they know it was trap, and artillery
would rain down on several of them after they crossed the first draw bridge. After this, all chaos ensued as the defenders of the stronghold would begin raining down fire on the town which frightened and scattered the people. But this would not break their resolve as they would quickly regroup and begin storming the fortification. Bravery was seen from the people in the face of death all around. It emancipated illustriously from the woman all the way down to the children who were running around picking up ammunition.
Once the storming had subsided, Governor De Launay was ceased and dragged to the Hotel de Ville while enduring abuse from a mob consumed by the revolutionary spirit.³ Upon making it to the courtyard, De Launay exclaimed that he had endured enough and demanded that he be let die. He then proceeded to kick a pastry cook in the groin, an act that would seal his fate. Immediately after, he was stabbed to death by the mob and was decapitated with his head being placed on a pike and paraded along with Monsieur Flesselles's head. This would mark the end of the storming and was seen as the beginning of the French Revolution.
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