"Happy Napoleon's Birthday !" Topic

Salutations, gentlefolk !

Today is the birthday of Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French, etc. 'Twere he not poisoned by ye perfidious English, he would be 248 today.

Trivia question: What country's national anthem, today, has a favorable reference to him ?

Book note: Friend of mine gifted me with volume picked up at flea market, _Napoleon's Mother_, biography of Letezia Ramolino Buonaparte, by R. McNair Wilson, copyright 1933. Hath anyone ever heard of it ?

Poland?

Poland is the only national anthem to have a reference to him.I so hate quizes.

Interesting point of commonality between Napoleon and George Washington – if stories are to be believed, both were prevented from joining the Royal Navy by their mothers. Napoleon's wrote a letter requesting a place as a midshipman for him, that was so boastful it backfired; GW was on the verge of leaving the family home when his mother did the "don't worry about me, here on my own, you go off and enjoy yourself…" routine.

It is a national holiday in France and Belgium.

Unfortunately it is raining here in Belgium at the moment.

When Napoleon, as First Consul, was asked by one of his generals if he would step down when his reform work was done, supposedly replied, 'Who do you think I am, George Washington?'

Napoleon admired Washington and when Washington died Napoleon put the French army in mourning for six months. Napoleon was the head of state who officially ended the Quasi-War on France's part.

I just spent the weekend in Slavkov (Austerlitz) where they had a big birthday bash for Napoleon.
There were re-enactors,special events in Slavkov as well as on the Prazten Heights, and a great fireworks display done in early 19th century fashion. I had a really great time.

Of course it is kind of funny they were celebrating the birth of the enemy commander, but on the other hand, had Napoleon found another area to fight in then these folks would be much the poorer for it!

No pics Texas Jack?

So many I havenīt had a chance to sort through them all!

When Napoleon, as First Consul, was asked by one of his generals if he would step down when his reform work was done, supposedly replied, 'Who do you think I am, George Washington?'

Napoleon admired Washington and when Washington died Napoleon put the French army in mourning for six months. Napoleon was the head of state who officially ended the Quasi-War on France's part.

Interesting – didn't know any of that. Apparently George III also admired Washington, not least when he stepped down as President. Given their mutual love of farming, I suspect they might have got on like a house on fire if they had ever met (although given my experience of "farming talk" anyone else present would have lost the will to live after about five minutes).

Courvoisier for the house!

'I never took any other oath of allegiance but that of fidelity to Napoleon and his dynasty; that oath I have kept; I shall keep it. I never uttered but one political exclamation, and it, I hope, will exhale itself with my dying breath: VIVE L'EMPEREUR NAPOLEON!'

-Adelbert J Doisy de Villargennes.