What is the historical event surrounding Assassin's Creed Unity's main story?

The French Revolution surrounds the main story of Assassin's Creed Unity. The game follows Arno Dorian in Paris from 1789, when revolutionary upheaval begins to transform French society and politics.

Arno becomes involved with the Assassin Brotherhood after the death of his adoptive father. His personal story unfolds alongside events such as the storming of the Bastille, the fall of the monarchy, and the Reign of Terror. Paris is the main historical setting, and the game emphasizes dense crowds, famous landmarks, and cooperative missions.

Assassin's Creed Unity was released in 2014. Its protagonist is not a direct retelling of a single famous revolutionary figure; instead, Arno's fictional story intersects with historical people and events. The game is sometimes confused with Assassin's Creed III, whose main historical setting is the American Revolution. Unity's distinctive period is the French Revolution, beginning in 1789.