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Birth
Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, on the island of Corsica in the Mediterranean. He had seven siblingsand his parents were Letizia and Carlo Bounaparte, who were members of minor nobility. One year before his birth the island had been ceded from Italy to France and on the day of Napoleon's birth the island was forced to celebrate the French rule of the island. This is important because Napoleon later would become the leader of the French Empire. (McGuire 15-17) -
First Water Powered Cotton Mill
The first water powered cotton mill was created in 1771. (Grum 357) The cotton mill was set up in Cromford, Derbyshire in England by Richard Arkwright. This ushered in the factory error and the industrial revolution. ("Arkwright Spinning Frame") -
US Postal Service Founded
The United States Postal Service was founded on July 26,1775. Benjamin Franklin became the first Postmaster General. The USPS still exists today and assisted in connecting the nation, eventually from coast to coast and delivering and "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." ("The Postal Service Begins") -
Betsey Ross Sews "First American Flag"
Betsey Ross was ordered to sew a flag by General George Washington sometime in either 1776 or 1777. Washington ordered her to create a flag with thirteen stars and stripes, a design approved by the continental congress but as legend goes she argued for, successfully, for five pointed stars instead of the suggested six pointed stars because they were easier to cut. Her flag is now on display at the Smithsonian museum in Washington. ("Betsey Ross") -
French Revolution
The French revolution began in 1789 with King Louis XVI being overthrown. This worried other monarchies around Europe and when Louis was beheaded in 1793 the calls for help from the royalists were answered. This would set the stage for Napoleon to show his abilities as a military commander leading him to ascend to general and later ruler of the French Empire. (McGuire 13-16) -
Napoleon's Rise to General
It took just 4 moths for a 24 year old Napoleon to rise from Captain to General and it began with a fluke chance. While stopping Toulon on his way to his minor post. By chance the officer in charge was badly injured and Napoleon was offered his position because he had the most extensive knowledge on artillery. After making major changes to his artillery he drove the British back and was promoted to Adjutant General and was promoted too Brigader general after storming Toulon. (McGuire 13-16) -
Hydraulic Press Invented
The Hydraulic Press was invented in 1795 by Joseph Bramah. (Grum 317) A hydraulic press works by placing pressure on confined liquid which places pressure on a baseplate. A hydraulic press is often used in industry for the production of metals.
("Hydraulic Press") -
Coup of 18 Brumarie
Napoleon was part of a group that overthrew the French directory, which would be known as The Coup of 18 Brumaire. The French directory was overthrown with a three man council. Napoleon became First Council, becoming France's top political figure. The Battle of Marengo, where Napoleon defeated the Austrians would cement his political role. As first council he worked to return stability to France. ("Napoleon Bonaparte") -
Longest "Sede Vacante" since 18th Century
For a 6 month period in late 1799 and early 1800 there was no Roman Catholic Pope due to a deadlock amongst the 35 cardinals in attendance to vote. Unique circumstances led to the this period including the previous pope, Pope Pius VI dying a prisoner. To end this period without a pope ended with Pope Pius VII becoming pope. (Adams). -
Louisiana Purchase
In 1803 a ambitious Napoleon was looking to bolster his empire through war. However, he needed to be able to afford an army and decided to sell Louisiana to the United States for $15 Million. This allowed him to afford the Napoleonic Wars. The money he received allowed him to build an army that would win many key battles including the Battle of Austerlitz which resulted in the demise of the Holy Roman Empire. ("Napoleon Bonaparte") -
Napoleon Reestablishes French Aristocracy
During the years of the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1809) Napoleon reestablished the French Aristocracy. An aristocrat isthe highest class in certain societies, especially those holding hereditary titles or offices. (Dictionary.com) He began giving noble titles to friends and family that were close to him. He did this while attempting to expand his empire over the European continent. ("Napoleon Bonaparte") -
First Public Railroad in England
The Surrey Iron Railway was the first public railroad in England. It was also the first transport project under the Parliamentary Bill Procedure. It connected industry in River Wandle to Thames and Croydon. The "railway" was not one you would picture today with trains but used horses instead and was created instead of a canal. ("Surrey Iron Railway") -
Battle of Austerlitz
One of Napoleon's greatest victories was against the Austrians and Russians at the battle of Austerlitz. This resulted in the demise of the Holy Roman Empire. Also this led too the creation of the Confederation of the Rhine. (Napoleon Bonaparte) -
Napoleon Attempts to Invade Russia
In 1810, after Russia withdrew from the Continental System Napoleon led an army of 600,000 men into Russia. However Russia decided to keep retreating instead of fighting the French, even sacrificing their capital before burning it to the ground. This resulted to Napoleon's army being trapped deep inside Russian territory, far away from their supplies. When Napoleon finally decided to retreated, he had already lost the majority of his men and his military was decimated ("Napoleon Bonaparte") -
Napoleon Escapes Elba and Regains Throne
Less than one year after being exiled to Elba Napoleon escaped with 1,000 supporters and soldiers. When he returned to Paris on March 30 King Louis XVIII fled and Napoleon reclaimed command of France. He then began his Hundred Days Campaign. He would attempt to fend off a coalition of Austrians, British, Russians, and Prussians. He was successful at first, capturing Belgium but was later defeated at the battle of Waterloo and placed in exile, this time for good. ("Napoleon Bonaparte") -
Death
Napoleon was exiled to a remote, British held island called Saint Helena in October 1815. Soon he fell ill and stopped eating food because he believed he was being poisoned by the British. On May 5, 1821 he died and was buried on the island despite his wished to be buried amongst his beloved Frenchmen. 25 years later, in 1840 he was returned to France and was entombed at Les Invalides along with other French military leaders. ("Napoleon")
