On May 30th in celebrity history, a significant event occurred in 1431 when Joan of Arc, the famous French military leader and Roman Catholic saint, was burned at the stake in Rouen, France. Joan of Arc, also known as "The Maid of Orléans," was a young peasant girl who claimed to have received visions from God, instructing her to support Charles VII in the fight against English invaders during the Hundred Years' War.
At the age of 18, Joan of Arc led the French army to several important victories, most notably the Siege of Orléans in 1429. Her leadership and courage inspired the French troops and boosted their morale, ultimately contributing to the coronation of Charles VII as the King of France.
However, Joan of Arc's success was short-lived. She was captured by the Burgundians, French allies of the English, in 1430 and handed over to the English. The English, in collaboration with some French clerics, put her on trial for heresy and witchcraft. The trial, which was politically motivated and lacked impartiality, found her guilty, and she was sentenced to death.
On May 30th, 1431, at the age of 19, Joan of Arc was tied to a stake in the Vieux-Marché square in Rouen and burned alive. Her last words were reported to be "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus." Her ashes were scattered in the Seine River to prevent her remains from becoming relics.
Twenty-five years after her execution, a posthumous retrial was conducted, and Joan of Arc was exonerated of all charges. She was later beatified in 1909 and canonized as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church in 1920. Today, Joan of Arc is revered as a national hero in France and is celebrated for her bravery, faith, and dedication to her country.
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