Historical Nonfiction

Because I feel like it, here are some fun facts about Napoleon Bonaparte

1. Napoleon was not French, but from French-held Corsica, and was nicknamed “The Corsican Dictator” in England.

2. At that time, French units of length were “pieds du roi” or “feet of the king” where the length of the king’s foot was literally a foot. Under that system, Napoleon was 5’ 6”. In standard English units, he was 5’ 3 1/2”. However, the average French man at the time was 5’ 3”, so Napoleon was actually a 1/2 taller than normal.

3. Napoleon was afraid of cats.

Portugal was the first European country to acquire colonies, and the last one to give them up. (First: Ceuta, 1415 Last: Macau, 1999)

History: An account mostly false, of events mostly unimportant, which are brought about by rulers mostly knaves, and soldiers mostly fools.

-The Devil’s Dictionary

Perhaps one of the most ironic, if sad, days in American history is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. On July 4th, 1826, the second and third presidents — who were also the first and second vice-presidents — died. John Adam’s last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” He was wrong; Jefferson had died earlier that same day. Though on opposing parties, the two men deeply respected each other, and had maintained a friendship for decades.

The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars and pestilences in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all — it is very tiresome.

-Jane Austen