Big Day For The Little Corporal......

On this day in history, 18th of May, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte took the ultimate accolade for a (relatively) low-born Corsican when he was declared (mainly by himself) Emperor of France. 

Arguably the single most influential figure of the late 18th and early 19th centuries in Europe, and still today one of the most recognised names of European history. Less diminutive than you might think at 5'7" in modern measurements (5'2" in the then form of French measurement apparently, which led to his reputation for being a little chap) he certainly made a big impact on the world at the time. 

There are more books out there about 'Boney' than you can shake an Imperial Crown at, but Bonaparte by Corelli Barnett, published in 1978 is a good starting point if you want to learn a little more.