The major event that occurred in France in 1789 was the French Revolution. This pivotal period marked the transition from monarchy to a republic, driven by widespread discontent with the absolute monarchy, economic hardship, and social inequality. The Revolution began with the convening of the Estates-General and quickly escalated to significant events such as the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which became a symbol of the fight against oppression. The Revolution led to the abolition of feudal privileges, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and ultimately ended with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.