The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was the significant human rights document created during the French Revolution in 1789. This pivotal document proclaimed fundamental rights and liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial. It emphasized the concepts of popular sovereignty and equality before the law, asserting that all citizens had the right to participate in the nation's governance. The Declaration served as a foundation for modern human rights principles, influencing future democratic movements and constitutions across the world, reinforcing the idea that government exists for the people.