The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, is commonly regarded as the symbolic start of the French Revolution. This event arose from growing discontent with King Louis XVI's rule and the financial crisis gripping France. The Bastille, a medieval fortress and prison, represented the oppression of the monarchy and was seen as a symbol of tyranny. When revolutionaries stormed the Bastille, they sought arms and ammunition, but the act also signified the rejection of the king's absolute power. This event galvanized the revolutionaries and inspired widespread uprisings across France, leading to the establishment of a more democratic society.