jun 20, 1789 - Tennis Court Oath

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The Tennis Court Oath was an act of rebellion by members of the Third Estate of France. They had recently formed the National Assembly so that they could have a chance for their issues to be heard, as they were constantly outvoted in the current Estates General. The National Assembly had to meet in an indoor tennis court after being locked out of their meeting hall, and it was there that they swore never to disband until their status as a national assembly was recognized and a new constitution was written. The Tennis Court Oath was an important moment leading up to the French Revolution and is often considered the most pivotal starting point of the Revolution. Soon after the Tennis Court Oath, members of the First and Second Estates joined the National Assembly and the king recognized the National Assembly as a new representative body. The constitution of 1791 was also an effect of the Tennis Court Oath, as the National Assembly swore not to disband until a new constitution was formed.

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