The historical event known for the phrase "Let them eat cake" is the French Revolution. This quote is attributed, though likely misattributed, to Marie Antoinette, the queen of France. It allegedly reflects her indifference to the plight of the starving poor, supposedly suggesting that if they could not afford bread, they could simply eat cake instead. This phrase, whether spoken by her or not, symbolized the disconnect between the monarchy and the common people. The widespread anger towards such sentiments contributed to revolutionary fervor, leading to the overthrow of the monarchy and significant social and political change in France.