Tennis Court Oath

June 20, 1789

Locked out of their meeting hall, the Third Estate's delegates gathered in Versailles' indoor tennis court and swore not to separate until France had a constitution. Painted by David, retold in schoolrooms, the oath became the founding image of the Revolution - a self-appointed parliament refusing to go home. Within six weeks the king would capitulate, recognize the National Assembly, and begin his long slide toward the scaffold.