20 juin 1789 - Tennis Court Oath

Description:

On the morning of June 20th 1789, deputies in the newly formed National Assembly gathered to enter the meeting hall at Versailles, only to find the doors locked and guarded by royal troops. Interpreting this as a hostile move by the king and his ministers, the National Assembly proceeded to the nearest available space, one of Versailles’ indoor tennis courts. Together, they pledged to remain assembled until a new national constitution had been drafted and implemented.