The Oath of the Tennis Court, June 20, 1789. From a painting by David. Click here to enlarge.
The Tennis Court Oath, taken on June 20, 1789, was a pivotal event in the early stages of the French Revolution. After being locked out of their usual meeting hall, members of the Third Estate—who had declared themselves the National Assembly—gathered in an indoor tennis court in Versailles. There, they vowed not to disband until they had written a new constitution for France. This bold act challenged the authority of King Louis XVI and marked the first time French citizens formally stood against royal power. The oath became a powerful symbol of unity and resistance, laying the foundation for a constitutional government.
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