2nd December 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of France (yes, he put the crown on his own head because he didn't believe anyone else had the right to crown, or un-crown, him), ending the 1st French Republic.
2nd December 1852, Louis Napoleon (nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte) became emperor Napoleon III of France. He had run for presidency of France in elections in 1848 after the king was overthrown in the 1848 revolution and won, then in 1851 he overthrew the Assembly (parliament) and a year later, on a day chosen to highlight links with his uncle, the first Napoleon, he was crowned and the 2nd French Rupublic officially ended.
So to mark the day, has anyone got any Napoleonic anecdotes? Have you visited the tomb of Napoleon I in Paris or the site of the battle of Waterloo?
I visited the site of Waterloo on a rainy June afternoon three years ago whilst on holiday with my wife, son and parents in Belgium and Holland (planned so my father and I could see the WW2 Market Garden bridges - Arnhem and the film "A Bridge Too Far" - but we decided we all wanted to see Waterloo).
Derek Jacobi is 70 today (22nd October) - which of his parts do you remember the most?
Although hardly his most artistic, I have a soft spot for his portrayal of Cadfael in the TV dramatisation of Ellis Peters' books. He captured the gentle but probing and sharp nature very well.
I know his breakthrough role was as the Roman emperor Claudius in "I Claudius" but I was too young to see it when it was on. Maybe older Tolunites could comment?
And if you've ever seen him live on the stage, then I'd love to hear about that.
Did anyone watch this last night on Channel 4? It is the first of a series, so if you did not, there is always a chance to watch the next one. This was number one of three new programmes using ground-breaking photography which explore the very beginnings of animal life inside the womb. Building on the remarkable photography it shows us embryonic sharks cannibalising their brothers in the womb; stunning photography inside the pouch of a kangaroo; and the harsh beginnings of life as an Emperor Penguin. It was really amazing! Next week will be about domestic animals so watch out for it. It is on on Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4.
