Until she was thirteen, Joan of Arc led a normal life. Then she began hearing voices. She believed these voices spoke for God. At first, they told her to be a good girl. A few years later, they told her that her destiny was to save France from its English invaders. Joan's inspirational leadership helped the French to defeat the English at the city of Orleans. Soon afterward, she persuaded the crown prince Charles to become King of France.
A few months later, Joan was captured by her enemies. Charles refused to help her in spite of all she had done. After a one-sided trial, she was burned at the stake. She was not forgotten. Today she is honored with a national holiday in France.