The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre occurred in France on August 24, 1572, during a period of intense religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants, known as the French Wars of Religion. The violence began in Paris and quickly spread to other cities, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Huguenots (French Protestants) who were attending the wedding of Henry of Navarre and Margaret of Valois. The massacre was instigated by the Catholic authorities, who viewed the Huguenots as a threat. Estimates suggest that between 5,000 and 30,000 Huguenots were killed in the days following the initial violence. This event marked a significant turning point in the religious wars and deepened the divide between Catholics and Protestants in France.