# C120 - 1989 45c French Revolution Joint Issue with France
1989 45¢ French Revolution Bicentennial
First City: Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 38,532,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Lithographed, engraved
Perforation: 11 ½ x 11
Beginning Of The French Revolution
By the time King Louis XVI took the throne, France was heading toward revolution. The country was in the midst of an economic crisis, due to its intervention in the American Revolution as well as a failing tax system. This, coupled with spreading food shortages, led to nationwide resentment and anger toward the king.
On June 17, 1789, the National Assembly was formed and called for the creation of a French constitution. At first, King Louis XVI seemed to support the idea, legalizing the National Assembly. However, he then surrounded Paris with troops and fired Jacques Necker, a popular state minister that had supported reforms.
Meanwhile, the military governor of the Bastille, Bernard-René de Launay, worried that the fortress might be one of the revolutionaries’ targets and requested reinforcements. A company of Swiss mercenaries was then brought in to aid the 82 French soldiers there. On July 12 Royal authorities worried that the revolutionaries might attack the Paris Arsenal, so they transferred 250 barrels of gunpowder to the Bastille.
On July 13 revolutionaries approached the Bastille with muskets and began firing on Lunay’s soldiers. Then that evening mobs of revolutionaries stormed the Paris Arsenal and other armories, collecting thousands of muskets.
While Launay held the fort for most of the day, more and more people arrived to support the revolutionaries, including French army deserters. These soldiers used the smoke from fires to conceal five cannons they’d brought in and aimed at the Bastille. Launay could not longer hold the fort and waved a white flag of surrender. He and his men were taken prisoner, the fort’s cannons and gunpowder were seized, and the seven prisoners were freed.
1989 45¢ French Revolution Bicentennial
First City: Washington, D.C.
Quantity Issued: 38,532,000
Printed by: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Lithographed, engraved
Perforation: 11 ½ x 11
Beginning Of The French Revolution
By the time King Louis XVI took the throne, France was heading toward revolution. The country was in the midst of an economic crisis, due to its intervention in the American Revolution as well as a failing tax system. This, coupled with spreading food shortages, led to nationwide resentment and anger toward the king.
On June 17, 1789, the National Assembly was formed and called for the creation of a French constitution. At first, King Louis XVI seemed to support the idea, legalizing the National Assembly. However, he then surrounded Paris with troops and fired Jacques Necker, a popular state minister that had supported reforms.
Meanwhile, the military governor of the Bastille, Bernard-René de Launay, worried that the fortress might be one of the revolutionaries’ targets and requested reinforcements. A company of Swiss mercenaries was then brought in to aid the 82 French soldiers there. On July 12 Royal authorities worried that the revolutionaries might attack the Paris Arsenal, so they transferred 250 barrels of gunpowder to the Bastille.
On July 13 revolutionaries approached the Bastille with muskets and began firing on Lunay’s soldiers. Then that evening mobs of revolutionaries stormed the Paris Arsenal and other armories, collecting thousands of muskets.
While Launay held the fort for most of the day, more and more people arrived to support the revolutionaries, including French army deserters. These soldiers used the smoke from fires to conceal five cannons they’d brought in and aimed at the Bastille. Launay could not longer hold the fort and waved a white flag of surrender. He and his men were taken prisoner, the fort’s cannons and gunpowder were seized, and the seven prisoners were freed.