Enlightenment · Europe · Politics

1792

French Republic Proclaimed

September 22, 1792

The newly elected National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Year One of Liberty had begun. The calendar itself would soon be rewritten, the months renamed after weather and grain. Europe had not seen a republic of this size since Rome. The Convention's first act was to put Louis XVI on trial for treason; by January his head would roll, and every throne in Europe would tremble.