Execution of Louis XVI

On 21st January 1793, King Louis XVI was on his way to what is now called the Place de la Concorde to meet his fate.

Just six days before, the Convention Nationale had voted the crucial decision. Leading figure Robespierre argued: “The King must die… so the Nation may live!” Out of the 721 deputies, 361 voted for immediate execution. That’s exactly half the deputies + 1 vote…

Over 20,000 thousands troops ensured no one tried to rescue the monarch. He walked up the scaffolds and started addressing the crowd, forgiving the people who wanted his execution.

The general of the National Guard ordered a drum roll so the message of the King could not be heard… Then the “national razor” came down, the executioner picked up the royal head from the basket and showed it to the thousands of people witnessing the execution.