The Bastille was originally built as a fortress in the late 14th century and later became a state prison used by the kings of France. By the late 18th century, it had come to symbolize the tyrannical rule of King Louis XVI and his government. The financial crisis, high taxes, and widespread famine in France had led to escalating social unrest and a demand for revolutionary change. On July 14, in a climate of fear and desperation, Parisians stormed the Bastille in search of guns and ammunition to defend themselves against royal troops. The assault began in the morning and involved thousands of revolutionaries armed with an eclectic assortment of weapons. They faced a small garrison of soldiers inside the fortress. After several hours of fighting, the crowd overcame the Bastille’s defenders and seized control of the prison.The fall of the Bastille marked a significant turning point in the French Revolution and is celebrated annually as Bastille Day. The event signified the uprising of the common people against oppression and fueled the revolutionary spirit throughout France. Following the storming, the Bastille's governor, Bernard-René de Launay, was captured and executed by the crowd, further demonstrating the revolutionaries' defiance. The storming of the Bastille was not just a military victory; it became a powerful symbol of the revolutionary cause, representing the fight for liberty, equality, and fraternity.