On July 14, 1789 the people banned together and stormed the Bastille prison. To the people of Paris, the Bastille was a symbol of brutality and dictatorial power. It was hated because of the many stories that had emerged from its walls of horrible torture and cruelty. To the people of Paris who stormed the Bastille, the prison which was the symbol of the monarchy which France had been suffering under for so long. They were tired of being treated unfairly and not having a voice in most of the political affairs during the time period. They wanted "life, liberty, fraternity" and were determined to fulfill their wishes of a fair ruling system by means of force or agreement. Unfortunately, citizens had to resort to the use of force to gain what the felt lacked.
             Later on that day, a delegation was invited into the prison by the Governor of the Bastille, Bernard de Launay. De Launay then invited the delegation to lunch with him. When they did not return the mob became angry, fearing that they had been detained. A second delegation was sent forth. These soon came out again with the message that the Governor had stubbornly refused to surrender. The delegates also had the information that the cannon were unloaded. This piece of news was all that the mob needed to urge them on.
             The mob rushed into the prison's courtyard. However, several of the protestors were hurt as they attacked soldiers from the army. Brutal fighting followed and carried on into the evening. Finally the mob got their hands on some cannons. They dragged them into position to blow down the gates of the prison. The soldiers guarding the prison now urged their Governor to surrender. Instead deLaunay threatened to blow up the whole prison. Finally, pressure put on him by his defenders changed his mind. Before the cannon could be fired, Governor de Launay surrendered. This did not, however, spare his life. Before long his severed head was paraded by the mob.
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