What inmate denied himself a bandage on his eyes and went to the execution block?


 Being put to death before a firing squad is among the most terrifying things that a person could go through. Majority of the people would desire to conceal their fear.


However there were individuals who took another course. They would not permit covering their eyes. They desired to meet death in its own way.

Among the most famous ones is Mata Hari. She was also a renowned dancer accused of spying in the world war I. In France, she was guarded out to be executed and the soldiers presented her with a blindfold. She refused it. She stood still and gazed directly upon them. There are accounts that she was even smiling or even kissing before the shooting began.


James Connolly is another instance. He was badly wounded and could no longer stand himself. The execution was done by the soldiers tying him to a chair. He did not accept a blind fold even in that state. He decided to fight the soldiers until the last.


There is also Joachim Murat. He used to be a great ruler and warrior. He would not wear a cover over his eyes before he was executed. He went to the extent of instructing the men to shoot at his heart and ensure that they do not touch his face.


To them all the refusal of the blindfold was not a trivial decision. It showed strength. It showed control. They were standing on their ground even on their last moment.

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