Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was born on August 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, Corsica, into an aristocratic family. He was the second of eight siblings and was known for his mischievous nature and love for learning from an early age.

On October 28, 1785, Napoleon graduated from Ecole Militaire with the rank of second lieutenant in the artillery.

Napoleon participated in crushing the royalist insurrection against the Convention on 13 Vendémiaire Year IV (5 October 1795), which led to his appointment as Division General on 16 October 1795.

Napoleon Bonaparte marries Rose de Beauharnais, also known as Josephine, on this day.

Napoleon achieves victory in the Battle of Lodi, a significant military success during the Italian campaign against Austria.

Bonaparte achieves a significant victory over the Austrians at the Battle of Arcole from November 15 to 17.

The Austrians signed the treaty of Campoformio on 17 October 1797 after Napoleon's victory near Rivoli, marking the end of the war and demonstrating Napoleon's strategic prowess.

Admiral Nelson blocked the French fleet from escaping and bombarded the ships in Abukir Bay on 1 August 1798, resulting in a disaster for the French fleet with significant casualties and ship losses.

Napoleon Bonaparte staged a coup d'etat on 18 Brumaire Year VIII (November 9, 1799) to overthrow the French government and establish himself as the First Consul of France, marking a significant turning point in his rise to power.

Napoleon Bonaparte orchestrates a coup d'état by transporting members of the two Councils to the château of Saint-Cloud and using soldiers to intimidate them into accepting a change in government. The Council of Ancients agrees to the proposal, while the Council of Five Hundred resists, leading to a chaotic confrontation.

Napoleon leads his army across the Alps in the Second Italian Campaign.

Napoleon is elected as the First Consul of the Consulate, consolidating his power and influence in France.

A treaty is signed with Austria at Lunéville, consolidating Napoleon's territorial gains and influence in Europe.

Napoleon escapes an assassination attempt.

A new constitution is adopted, confirming Napoleon as First Consul for life through a plebiscite, consolidating his authority and power.

Napoleon sells the Louisiana Territory to the U.S., doubling the size of the young American nation and providing France with much-needed funds.

Britain declares war on France, leading to the resumption of hostilities and the continuation of the Napoleonic Wars.

On May 18, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of the French in a grand ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Napoleon was crowned Emperor of the French on 2 December 1804 in a grand ceremony at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame. He took the unprecedented step of crowning himself and his wife Josephine, reducing the Pope's role to a mere blessing and asserting his power over the Catholic Church.

The Battle of Ulm occurred on October 19, 1805, and was a significant victory for Napoleon during the War of the Third Coalition.

The Battle of Trafalgar results in a significant naval defeat for the British forces commanded by Admiral Nelson, impacting the course of the Napoleonic Wars.

The Battle of Austerlitz, which took place on December 2, 1805, is often regarded as one of Napoleon's greatest victories, leading to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.

On August 6, 1806, the Holy Roman Empire was abolished by Napoleon, marking the end of a millennium-old institution and restructuring the balance of power in Europe.

The Battle of Jena and Auerstadt took place on October 14, 1806, resulting in a decisive victory for Napoleon's forces over the Prussian army.

Czar Alexander I makes peace with Napoleon in the Treaty of Tilsit.

Napoleon was victorious at Somosierra on 30 November 1808, which contributed to the weakening of the Napoleonic army and demonstrated to the whole of Europe that it was no longer invincible.

The Battle of Wagram on 6 July 1809 resulted in a decisive victory for Napoleon, imposing peace on the Austrians and leading to the signing of a peace treaty in Vienna on 14 October.

On 1 April 1810, Napoleon married the young Archduchess Marie-Louise Habsburg, daughter of the Emperor Francis I, after being refused by Tsar Alexander I for the possibility of marrying one of the Russian monarch’s sisters.

On 20 March 1811, the new Empress Marie-Louise gave birth to a son named Napoleon after his father and given the title “Roi de Rome” (King of Rome).

On June 24, 1812, Napoleon's Russian Campaign began. This military campaign marked a significant turning point in Napoleon's rule and ultimately led to his downfall.

On September 14, 1812, the Grand Army, led by Napoleon, entered Moscow only to find the city abandoned and set ablaze. The retreat in the harsh winter led to devastating losses for the army, contributing to the failure of the Russian Campaign.

The French troops, exhausted by obstinate guerrilla fighting, were defeated at Vitoria on 21 June 1813. This defeat contributed to the weakening of the Napoleonic army and marked a turning point in the Spanish Campaign.

Napoleon successfully escapes from the island of Elba, where he was previously exiled. This escape leads to the beginning of the Hundred Days, a period of renewed power for Napoleon.

On 1 March 1815, Napoleon landed at Golfe Juan, crossed the Alps, and arrived in Grenoble where an army commanded by Ney awaited him. He then took back possession of the Palais des Tuileries on 20 March and invaded Belgium with a force of 130,000 soldiers, pre-empting the allied forces.

Napoleon rallies the French army, signaling his determination to reclaim his position of power and authority in France.

Napoleon is decisively defeated at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815, leading to his abdication for the last time and subsequent exile to Saint Helena.

In 1815, Napoleon was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo by the armies of the Seventh Coalition. Following his defeat, he was exiled to St. Helena.

After his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he spent the remainder of his life in confinement.

Napoleon is exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he will spend the remainder of his life in isolation and exile.

The Treaty of Paris is signed, marking the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the final exile of Napoleon. It establishes new boundaries and power dynamics in Europe.

Napoleon died on 5 May 1821 at Longwood, his residence on St Helena, after experiencing declining health due to the poor climate, lack of privacy, and isolation on the island. His final words were of Josephine and the army.