The Napoleonic Wars lasted from 1803 until 1815 (although some people also include the French Revolutionary Wars in this, which started in 1792 and continued until 1802. The Napoleonic Wars were therefore a continuation of the Revolutionary Wars). A number of European powers fought against the expansionist French Empire.
Napoleonic Wars
Fact of the Day
Sir Charles Isham introduced garden gnomes to England in 1847 hoping to attract real gnomes to his garden.
Quote of the Day
"I have offended God and mankind in not having laboured at my art as I ought to have done
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~ Leonardo da Vinci, speaking during his final illness to Francis I
On This Day
1586 American colonists arrived in Plymouth with large quantities of tobacco. Smoking caught on quickly, though it was also used in tea.
1694 The Bank of England was founded by an act of parliament as a way to finance government debt by private subscription.
1943 The concentrated Allied bombing of Hamburg led to a three hour firestorm that killed approx 30,000 civilians.