On July 17, 1794, 16 nuns, lay sisters and externs mounted the steps of the guillotine. On the way to their deaths, they sang hymns and psalms. They believed that their sacrifice could end the waves of violence sweeping over France.
This really happened. A few days later the reign of terror ended; many lives were saved. The story has inspired many plays and books as well as Poulenc's opera Dialogues of the Carmelites. See more about the bracelet commemorating these martyrs by clicking the bracelet photo.
