France commemorates Joan of Arc's memorial day today

On 30 May, the Catholic world commemorates the feast day of Joan of Arc. The French national heroine is among the few women in the world honoured with equestrian monuments – researchers have mapped a total of 36 such memorials.

Every 30 May, the Catholic world remembers Joan of Arc, France's national heroine and saint. This day is dedicated to one of history's most prominent figures, whose life and deeds have left an indelible mark on European history.

Joan of Arc is also extraordinary in monumental terms: she belongs to a small group of women in the world honoured with equestrian monuments. A research project dedicated to cataloguing such sculptures has inventoried a total of 36 equestrian statues of Joan of Arc – 26 of them located in France and 10 scattered around the world.

Equestrian monuments have historically been the privilege of military leaders and rulers, which is why Joan of Arc's presence on this list underscores her exceptional significance for both French national identity and the broader Western cultural heritage. The young woman who lived in the 15th century and led French forces during the Hundred Years' War remains one of the most recognisable historical figures in the world today.