Cleopatra Lived Closer to the Computer Age than to the Pyramids, and Other Atypical History Facts

28. The Guillotine Continued in Use Well Past the French Revolution

The guillotine is so associated with the French Revolution, that it is easy to forget that its use in France continued long after the 1789 upheaval came to an end. Indeed, the instrument, sometimes referred to by the French as “The National Razor”, would continue doing its work well into the modern age.

It serviced its last customer during the Age of Disco, and after Star Wars was released on May 25^th, 1977. Later that year, on September 10th, Hamida Djandoubi won the distinction of becoming the correct answer to the question: “who was the last person executed by guillotine in France?”