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birth of Andre Michaux
Michaux born into a farming family in Versailles. -
Birth of Josephine
Marie Josèphe Rose Tascher de La Pagerie was born in Les Trois-Îlets, Martinique -
death of Michaux's father
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death of Michaux's mother
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Michaux's marriage to Cecile
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birth of François André Michaux, death of Cecile
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Louis XVI ascends to the throne
At nineteen years of age, Louis XVI becomes King of France and Navarre -
Josephine's Marriage to Alexandre Beauharnais
Alexandre François Marie de Beauharnais, Vicomte de Beauharnais (28 May 1760 – 23 July 1794) was a French political figure and general during the French Revolution. Possible inspiration for the character of Valmont in Les Liasons Dangereuses. Was first betrothed to Josephine's younger sister, Catherine, who died at the age of twelve. Josephine came to Paris to be married in her stead. -
birth of Eugène de Beauharnais
Josephine's first child, who would later become Napoleon's aide-du-champ -
Michaux embarks on Persian expedition
Michaux accompanies Rousseau, the French consul to Persia, on a seedling-collecting mission. -
birth of Hortense de Beauharnais
Josephine's second and last child, later married to Napoleon's brother Louis. -
Michaux leaves for America
Michaux's expedition to America begins, with the purpose of finding plants, particularly trees, which could be useful to introduce to French soil. Timber was scarce at this time, and a larger fleet was neccessary to compete with the English navy. Michaux establishes his first garden in Bergen County, NJ, in the care of the gardener Saunier who is sent along with him from the Jardin des Plantes. -
Charleston garden established
Without permission from French government, Michaux leaves the Philadelphia area for Charleston, SC and establishes a new garden, leaving Saunier in New Jersey. In June he comes to Mount Vernon with letters of introduction and dines with George Washington. -
Exploration of Savannah River
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Storming of the Bastille
Louis XVI's firing of Necker prompts the impassioned speech of Camille Desmoulins at the Palais Royale, which stirs the people to capture the arms at Les Invalides on July 13th. Thus armed, they march on the Bastille at mid-morning. By 5:30pm, the fortress had fallen. -
Exploration of Carolina Piedmont
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the march to Versailles
A band of Parisian working women march to Versailles to demand bread. After an attempt on the queen's life, they return the next morning to Paris with the entire royal family in tow. -
the royal family attempts escape
A failed plan to escape the Palais de Tuilleries (the disguised king is recognized by his profile on a coin) results in the royal family's second shameful return to Paris, where the royal residence is shortly thereafter attacked by an angry mob. What follows is a massacre in the Tuilleries; not informed that the king has fled the palace, the Swiss Guard fight to the last man. -
Citizen Louis Capet executed
The king is executed at Place de la Revolution -
arrest of Alexandre
Alexandre de Beauharnais accused an enemy of the republic and an aristocratic "suspect" for having poorly defended the city of Mainz in 1793. Held at Carmes prison in Paris until his death at Place de la Revolution in 1794. -
Josephine imprisoned
Josephine was imprisoned by the Committee of Public Safety at Carmes, where she joined her husband, Alexandre. The two, previously at odds, were reconciled to a platonic friendship in prison and each took a lover of their own while incarcerated. Alexandre was executed on July 23rd. Robespierre was taken on the 27th and Josephine was released the same day, 5 days after her husband's death. -
End of the Terror
Robespierre executed. Josephine released from prison. -
Michaux's gardens declared "useless"
The French consulate receives a letter for Michaux, in which he is informed by the revolutionary government that his gardens are of no utility and must be abandoned. -
Michaux Mississippi expedition
Funded by Jefferson, this expedition was short-lived, and, technically speaking, a failure. Michaux returned to Philadelphia in December of the same year. -
Meets Bonaparte
Josephine, at the end of her liason with Barras (one of the early oligarchs of the Consulate, a consummate hedonist), meets the young Bonaparte, who is instantly smitten. "I awake full of you," writes Napoleon. -
Marriage to Napoleon
Bonaparte breaks off his betrothal to Desiree Clary and marries Josephine, who is 6 years his senior. His (Italian) family is scandalized. -
Michaux shipwrecked returning to France
On the coast of Holland, Michaux looses half his specimens in a shipwreck, as well as most of his journals.
