January 15-16 1793
King Louis XVI stood before the National Convention, and was found guilty of High Treason and Crimes against the State. This news was greeted by both tears and cheers. Many people sang songs of liberty and shouted praise for the republic, but others appeared distraught. The latter reaction was compounded by the sentencing; the King was to be executed.
Place de la Révolution- January 21, 1793- Paris
January 21, 1973
The road that led from the Temple prison to the square was lined with armed guards. Drums pounded, voices shouted and sang, and horses dug at the ground impatiently, as the King made his way to the Place de la Révolution. Once the King arrived, he removed his coat and climbed the scaffold. He tried to address the immense crowd, but the blaring trumpets and drum beats made it impossible to hear. Horses neighed and the people who once called him King, sang "Ҫa Ira" as the musicians played the tune.
As thousands of onlookers watched, King Louis XVI laid down on the guillotine and his sentence was carried out. The sound of the guillotine's heavy blade was followed by cheers and some even threw their hats into the air. A few, however, stood in stunned silence. The King of France had been executed by his subjects.
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