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Birth
Napoleon Buonaparte was the second of the eight surviving children born to Carlo and Letizia Buonaparte ("Napoleon Bonaparte."). France had gotten the island of Corsica from the city-state Genoa, Italy, just a year prior to his birth. Though not born there, he was schooled in France and graduated from a French academy. Later Napoleon removed the 'u' from his name in order to sound more French ("Napoleon Bonaparte."). -
Declaration of Independence signed
In an act of rebellion, the Second Continental Congress produced the Declaration of Independence in 1776, proclaiming that the 13 colonies had separated from their mother country Britain. The document, penned mostly by Thomas Jefferson, also announces the beliefs the new country would be built upon ("America's Founding Documents"). Previously the country had planned to fight only for their rights as British subjects. Eventually, though, the delegates turned to complete independence from Britain. -
Edward Jenner tests innoculation
During his years as a medical student, Edward Jenner realized that milkmaids that caught cowpox, a minor illnesss, never got smallpox, a lethal disease which had killed millions of people ("Jenner Tests Smallpox Vaccine."). Intrigued by this observation, he experimented and came up with the process of innoculating people with viruses before it could kill them. This led to huge leaps in developing vaccines to fight polio, measles, yellow fever and many others ("Jenner Tests Smallpox Vaccine."). -
Mary Shelley publishes "Frankenstein"
Often called the first science fiction novel, Mary Shelley published "Frankenstein" on March 11, 1818 Grun). The story tells of a creature made from corpses and brought to life by Dr. Victor Frankenstein. Eventually its tame demeanor gives way to anger and cruelty, becoming the monster everyone thinks of it as ("Frankenstein Published"). The tale has inspired many stories, though the story also delved into more philosophical things as well as disputing ideas of nature's "beauty and goodness." -
Beginning of Egyptian campaign
In a crazy attempt to upset English trade, Napoleon tried conquering Egypt. After quickly taking Malta and Alexandria, he moved on to the capital - Cairo ("Napoleon Bonaparte."). In an astounding victory for Napoleon the Battle of the Pyramids was won in under an hour, and a few days later Cairo was occupied by French forces ("Napoleon Bonaparte."). But the victory did not last long, and all too soon his troops were cut off by the British, stranding Napoleon in Egypt. -
Napoleon becomes First Consul
As the French Revolution came to an end, many felt the current government was insufficient and invited Napoleon to power in the triumvirate, consisting of three consuls ("Napoleon as First Consul."). As the near-dictatorial First Consul, Napoleon streamlined French government and awarded men on their individual ability over their birth in a system called a meritocracy ("Napoleon as First Consul."). Napoleon now could freely award and punish his respective allies and obstacles as he so desired. -
Napoleonic Wars begin
Historians are unsure when precisely the Napoleonic Wars begin, but the name refers simply to a series of battles with France and several other European countries in 1799 and going until 1815 ("Napoleon Bonaparte."). Over the course of the Wars, warfare began to shift into the beginning of modern warfare, abandoning the belief that war was a king's sport. Military camouflage and new weapons such as rifles and Congreve Rockets began to emerge as well. -
Napoleonic Code established
After about four years and over 80 meetings, the Napoleonic Code, a framework of laws Napoleon made to replace the old laws, was finally instituted in France ("Napoleonic Code approved in France"). The code delved into many law branches and had both pros and cons. On one hand, all (male) citizens were given equal rights and religious freedom, and the code gave France some clarity post-revolution, but it also reestablished colonial slavery and reduced women's and illegitimate children's rights. -
Lewis and Clark begin their expedition
American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark led their expedition, the Corps of Discovery across the modern-day US. The men recorded their route and the many new things they discovered on the newly bought Louisiana Purchase ("Lewis and Clark"). When they returned, it was without the sought-after Northwest Passage, but instead with crucial information about the natives, geography, plants and animals ("Thomas Jefferson's Monticello"). -
Continental System declared
The Continental System was Napoleon's proclamation that all neutrals and French allies were to cease all British trade ("Continental System"). This blockade was designed to wound Britain's economy, as they were the main enemies of Napoleon's empire. Though it did succeed in this endeavor, it also backfired and hurt areas relying on international trade ("Continental System"). The blockade also proved harder than expected to enforce, spreading French forces too thinly. -
Russia leaves the Continental System
There were many reasons for Russia to leave the Continental System. First, they were scared that Napoleon was trying to surround their country. Napoleon also attempted to court Czar Alexander's sister in his search for an heir, a prospect many Russian nobles objected to, then offending the Russians by immediately pursuing another noble ("Why Napoleon Invaded Russia in 1812"). Finally, the effect Napoleon's blockade had on Russia's economy ended the debate, and the czar stopped enforcing the law. -
Chile declares independence
After Chile's governor was involved in a large smuggling scandal and France invaded Spain, the country's people were ready for independence ("How Did Chile Gain Independence?"). Many other countries had already done so, such as the US and several counties in northern S.America. They created an independent government similar to Argentina's at the time, and began the bloody path to revolution that lay ahead of them ("How Did Chile Gain Independence?"). -
Napoleon invades Russia
Napoleon started the Continental System as an attack against Great Britain. However, when Alexander 1 pulled out of the System, realizing the negative effect it had on the economy, Napoleon responded with an army consisting of some 600,000 men ("Napoleon Bonaparte."). He planned to force his old ally to return, and at first, it seemed he would succeed. But the intense seasons soon prevailed, and before a single battle was fought, over 150,000 soldiers had left of illness, desertion, et cetera. -
"Pride and Prejudice" published
Though unacknowledged during her life, Jane Austen is now widely renowned as a fantastic author whose novels are often featured on lists of favorites ( "The Jane Austen Society of North America."). Her brothers allowed her access to the world the likes of which few others had, with their jobs as militia or Royal Navy officers ("The Jane Austen Society of North America."). Both entertainment and biological facts can be derived from her works and letters, and much can be learned from her books. -
Napoleon abdicates the throne
After his failed invasion of Russia, Napoleon tried to step down and have his son replace him, but this offer was rejected, so instead he abdicated and accepted his exile to Elba ("Napoleon Exiled to Elba."). In March of 1815, he broke out of his exile and began the "Hundred Days" when he restored his title of emperor, but was defeated in June that year at the fierce Battle of Waterloo. Then he abdicated once more and was sentenced to a life at Mt. Helena ("Napoleon Exiled to Elba."). -
Death
After being exiled for the second time, Napoleon lives on the tiny island of St. Helena for six years ("Napoleon Exiled to Elba"). He dies in 1821 under mysterious circumstances. Some historians say he died of stomach cancer, others say the arsenic found in the walls of his home is responsible ("Napoleon Exiled to Elba"). Nevertheless, so ended one of the great European emperors: Napoleon Bonaparte.
