1789/01/24

       With his realm near bankruptcy, Louis XVI, of the Kingdom of France, summons the Estates-General to authorize new taxing authority.  The EG has not met since 1614.  It consists of three legislative houses: the clergy representing 2% of the population, the nobles representing 0.5% of the population, and the commons representing 97.5% of the population.  Any two houses can overrule the third; thus 3% can decide for the other 97%.

       [added 8/1/2026]