The Fall of Robespierre: 24 Hours in Revolutionary Paris

The day of 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794) is universally acknowledged as a major turning-point in the history of the French Revolution. At 12:00 midnight, Maximilien Robespierre, the most prominent member of the Committee of Public Safety which had for more than a year directed the Reign of Terror, was planning to destroy one of the most dangerous plots that the Revolution had faced.



By 12:00 midnight at the close of the day, following a day of uncertainty, surprises, upsets and reverses, his w...