On May 14, 1643, Louis XIV, the Sun King, ascended the French throne.

“I know who I am. I am Louis XIV, and I am the King of France.”

Louis XIV (1638-1715)
Part of the Famous people (1944) series
Issued by France July 31, 1944
Designer: Pierre Gandon

Louis XIV, le Roi Soleil, was born Sept. 5, 1638, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France and died September 1, 1715, in Versailles, France. He became King of France at 4, when his father, Louis XIII died, and ruled until his death September 1, 1715. He reigned for 72 years and 110 days.  

The reign of Louis XIV is often referred to as “Le Grand Siècle” (the Great Century), forever associated with the image of an absolute monarch and a strong, centralised state. Coming to the throne at a tender age, tutored by Cardinal Mazarin, the Sun King embodied the principles of absolutism. In 1682 he moved the royal Court to the Palace of Versailles, the defining symbol of his power and influence in Europe.
Louis XIV | Palace of Versailles (chateauversailles.fr)

This short video on Louis XIV is in French, but with English subtitles. Courtesy Château de Versailles.