The historical document pivotal during the French Revolution that established the rights of citizens is the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Adopted in August 1789, this declaration articulated the principles of individual liberty, equality, and fraternity, which became foundational concepts of modern democracy. It proclaimed freedoms such as speech, press, and religion while asserting the notion that sovereignty resided with the people. The declaration served as a guiding framework for the revolutionaries and influenced subsequent human rights declarations worldwide, encapsulating Enlightenment ideals and challenging the monarchy's authority.