January 1, This Day in History – June 21st: The Constitution of France is Approved

On June 21st, 1791, an event occurred that would reshape the face of France and significantly influence the future of democracy worldwide – King Louis XVI of France attempted to flee the country amidst the heat of the French Revolution. His unsuccessful escape, ironically known as the “Flight to Varennes,” served as a trigger point leading to the establishment of the French First Republic.

The monarchy’s flight was an effort to conspire with royalist factions abroad and launch a counter-revolution against the increasingly radical revolutionary government. However, Louis and his family were recognized and arrested in Varennes, a few miles short of the Austrian border.

The incident decimated the remaining popular support for the monarchy and gave momentum to the republican cause. The National Assembly provisionally suspended the King and eventually voted in favor of drafting a republican constitution, effectively ending over a thousand years of monarchy in France.

On this day, we recall the remarkable events that unfolded during the French Revolution, a tumultuous period that reshaped the political and social landscape of France. The “Flight to Varennes” was a crucial turning point in this saga, sparking a shift towards republicanism and ultimately paving the way for the abolition of the French monarchy. This day serves as a stark reminder of the power of the people in determining the course of their nation’s history.