Today is the anniversary of the execution of Marie Antoinette in 1793. was the last queen of France before the fall of the monarchy during the French Revolution. She was the wife of King Louis XVI.
Born an archduchess of Austria, she was the penultimate child and youngest daughter of Empress Maria Theresa and Emperor Francis I of the Holy Roman Empire. She married Louis Auguste, Dauphin of France, in May 1770 at age 14, becoming the Dauphine of France. On 10 May 1774, her husband ascended the throne as king, and she became queen.
Beginning with the convocation of the Estates General in 1789, the French Revolution overturned the monarchy and led, eventually, to the trial, conviction and execution of the king and eventually, the queen. Many of the revolution’s ideas are considered fundamental principles of liberal democracy, and its values remain central to modern French political discourse. Causes of the revolution include crippling government debt, unfair taxation, economic hardship and social inequality.
During the French Revolution, she became known as Madame Déficit because the country’s financial crisis was blamed on her lavish spending and her opposition to social and financial reforms. On 21 September 1792, France was declared a republic and the monarchy was abolished. Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on 21 January 1793. Marie Antoinette’s trial began on 14 October 1793; two days later, she was convicted by the Revolutionary Tribunal of high treason. Marie Antoinette was executed by beheading by guillotine at 12:15 pm on 16 October. Her last words are recorded as, “Pardonnez-moi, monsieur. Je ne l’ai pas fait exprès” or “Pardon me, sir, I did not do it on purpose”, after accidentally stepping on her executioner’s shoe.
Marie Antoinette’s execution by guillotine on 16 October 1793: at left, Sanson, the executioner, showing Marie Antoinette’s head to the people. Anonymous, 1793
That last performer can leave quite a mark!
HANDS OFF MY BUMPER STICKERS!
signsess
Today is the birthday, in 1947, of American musician and songwriter Bob Weir, best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. The group released more than 140 albums during their career, the majority of them recorded live in concert. Weir also founded and played in several other bands during and after his career with the Grateful Dead, and Weir, along with former Grateful Dead members, joined John Mayer to form the band Dead & Company. What a long, strange trip it’s been! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuyaK0hGxWk
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