'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity'

What was the French Revolution?

The French Revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799, during which revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy of the Ancien Régime, ruled by King Louis XVI. Government efforts at reform had failed. When Louis XVI convened the Estates‑General in 1789, the Third Estate (or class of common people) broke away to form the National Assembly and called for a new constitution. 

The full-scale revolt began in July 1789 with a surge of popular unrest when Parisians stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority. This event led to the abolition of feudal privileges and sparked uprisings across the country. The newly formed National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, enshrining the principles of liberty, equality, and legal protection under the law.

Initial moderate attempts at governance gave way to fragile tensions and violence, setting the stage for a period known as the Reign of Terror. Led by Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, tens of thousands were executed as suspected enemies of the revolution.

After Robespierre's fall in 1794, political infighting, corruption, and continued warfare eroded the new government’s authority. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte seized control in a coup, ending the revolutionary era.

... Read our full breakdown of the revolution here.

Also, check out ... 

> A (gruesome) history of the guillotine. (More)

> Queen of France Marie Antoinette in her own words. (More)

> Robespierre remembered through fashion and art. (More)

In partnership with SylvanSport

Outdoor Enjoyment, Redefined

Power of the Purse

Federal Budget, 101

The US federal budget outlines how the government plans to both raise revenue and spend it via its 3 million workers across more than 400 agencies in a given fiscal year. The president submits a detailed budget request to Congress. Congress then reviews this proposal and develops its own budget resolutions through 12 appropriations bills. If there's an impasse, "continuing resolutions" can be temporarily used to maintain funding while bills are debated. 

Federal spending is divided into two main categories: mandatory and discretionary.

Mandatory includes expenses required by existing law (like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid). Discretionary spending includes funds for programs subject to annual review like defense, education, and transportation.
 

A federal deficit occurs when the government’s annual spending exceeds its revenues. The national debt is the cumulative total of these annual deficits and represents the government’s outstanding financial obligations.

... Read our full explainer on the federal budget here.

Also, check out ... 

> Before 1921, there was no federal budget, and it was pretty chaotic. (More)

> What happens if we hit the national debt ceiling. (More)

> Track US spending this year. (More)

Sizzle and Smoke

Barbecue, explained

Barbecue is an umbrella term for several culinary methods that involve live fire or smoke to cook meat. From Memphis-style dry-rubbed ribs to Argentine asado, the style is an integral part of cuisines around the world.

Barbecue can involve direct or indirect heat techniques. Direct heat, often called “grilling” in the United States, involves quickly cooking ingredients directly over the heat source (think hamburgers or Japanese yakitori skewers). Indirect heat, where the ingredients are placed adjacent to the flames to cook “low and slow,” is often associated with American barbecue dishes like smoked brisket (read more about the difference).

Modern barbecue originated in the precolonial Caribbean and Americas; the word is thought to come from “barabicu,” an Indigenous term referring to wooden frames used to cook meat high above the fire. While there are dozens of unique regional barbecue styles in the US, the “Big Four” are the best known: Carolina, Memphis, Texas, and Kansas City. 

... Read our full deep dive on barbecue here.

Also, check out ... 

> The delicious chemistry of barbecue. (More)

> Exploring the United States of barbecue sauces. (More)

> Why are barbecues considered patriotic? (More)

Best of the Week

We uploaded 243 resources to 1440 Topics last week—here are some of our favorites:

Was Shakespeare high when he wrote "Hamlet"?

How this rare coconut became the largest seed in the world. 

Why do babies have nearly 100 more bones than adults? 

How the ancients kept time with water clocks. 

Picturing the booming business of space-based internet. 

The 1880s-era, 109-foot hand-dug well in Greensburg, Kansas.

The universe is mostly a tint of beige dubbed "cosmic latte." 

Why US chocolate tastes weird to the rest of the world.

A retired FBI agent interviews a jailed hit man about a cold case.

The worldwide effort to defend against asteroid 2024 YR4.

Cancer rates have been falling for nearly three decades.

A quick explainer on the science of bubbles. 

Visualize the county-level effects of extreme weather events in the US. 

Meet the durian, the divisive, spiky fruit of Southeast Asia. 

Why no one wants to host the Olympics.

In partnership with SylvanSport

Meet the GO: Camper Meets Gear Hauler

SylvanSport’s GO is the ultimate outdoor companion—part pop-up camper, part gear hauler, and built for serious fun. Lightweight and versatile, it tows easily behind almost any vehicle and sets up in minutes, so you can spend less time unpacking and more time exploring.

From bikes and boats to tents and tools, the GO carries it all—then transforms into a cozy basecamp at day’s end. 1440 readers get exclusive access to their 48-Hour Flash Sale. Don’t miss your chance to level up your next adventure.

Please support our sponsors!

1440 Media 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212 Chicago, IL 60654

Copyright © 2025, 1440 Media, All rights reserved.