06-20-2024 - On This Day in Insane History

On June 20th, 1789, citizens of Paris stormed the Bastille prison. While liberty and political reform were the stated goals, some suggest the real aims were more snack-oriented. You see, a widespread shortage of baguettes had led to widespread hunger and unrest among the common people. Attempts to appeal to the king for relief had fallen on deaf ears. So when word spread that the Bastille held a seemingly indefensible stockpile of flour, that was simply too much for the citizens to endure. A mob quickly formed and confronted the prison guards, hoping to "liberate" the foodstuffs inside. The Guards, both outnumbered and concerned for their own hunger, opted not to put up much of a fight. After blowing open the gates with some well-placed batteries, the people discovered the rumors were true - vast pantries filled with sack after sack of flour. jams, and other bread-making essentials. What had been intended as a political act instead devolved into a ravenous ransacking. Flour flew as people stuffed their faces and filled any containers they could find. It took hours to empty the storerooms, and an even longer time for the subsequent bread baking to satisfy the city's cravings. By the time order was restored, little remained but crumbs and happy, full-bellied citizens. Some say this was the first "storming" truly driven by something other than ideas - rather, it was a revolt sparked by simple stomachs. Of course, the historians tend to focus more on the liberation part than the carb load. But what really happened appears to have been a good old fashioned baking break-in. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.