French Revolution By mattijet Jan 1, 1588 British defeat Phillip ll's Spanish Armada Period: Jan 1, 1588 to Dec 31, 1804 French Revolution Jan 1, 1643 Louis XlV begins to rule France Jan 1, 1687 Newton publishes law of gravity Jan 1, 1696 Peter the Great becomes czar of Russia Jan 1, 1714 Fahrenheit invents mercury thermometer Jan 1, 1789 Storming of the Bastille ignites the French Revolution Jan 1, 1799 Napolean overthrows the Directory through a caupdetat Jan 1, 1804 Napolean crowns himself emperor,begins to create a vast European empire