DECEMBER 2

This is an important date in French history.  I thought it worth our time.  This all happens right after the French Revolution and not long after the birth of a new nation in America.

First, on this date in 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French.  Sounds funny, doesn't it.  He's known to us as Napoleon I.  Here's the deal.  He was a very successful military leader.  He didn't want it to sound like he was king of a country - as in Emperor of France; he wanted to be king of the people of France.  Thus started the first French Empire; a constitutional monarchy.  At his coronation, he crowned himself with his own crown and he did it in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris (the same one that caught fire this year).  It was all supposed to look like he was the people's choice.

His Imperial Majesty had the following official title:  "Imperial and Royal Majesty Napoleon I by the Grace of God and the Constitution of the Republic, Emperor of the French and King of Italy, Protector of the Confederation of the Rhine, Mediator of the Swiss Confederation, and Co-Prince of Andorra."  (That was a mouthful of a title for the egomaniac)  He was okay until the rest of Europe ganged up on him.

Diminutive Napoleon lasted as Emperor until June of 1815 when he lost a big battle at Waterloo to a group of military units from several countries - most of the world was at war at the time.  He was captured and sent into forced exile on the island of Saint Helena where he died in 1821. 

Following the death of Napoleon I, the country was in turmoil for the next 100 years.  Two of Napoleon's nephews took their shot at being emperor but neither could last.  If you want to see how things were at this time, read or watch "Les Miserables" which takes place in the 1830s.

The little man with his hand in his jacket became king 215 years ago today.