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On 20 June 1789 when the Hall of Revels, where the estates general (a meeting will representatives from all areas of France) was to be held, was closed at the King's decision, the members ot the third estate were driven to find another place to meet and decided to take over the Real Tennis Court.

Here they took the famous oath on which French democracy is founded: "We swear never to separate and to meet wherever circumstances dictate until the constitution of the kingdom be established and consolidated on solid foundations."

The oath was signed by 641 deputies: the members of the third estate plus some deputies of the clergy and nobility.