On this day in 1804, the French Senate proclaimed Napoléon Bonaparte (1769–1821) emperor. The 5'2" dynamo had already declared himself hereditary Emperor of France and disbanded the Consulate.

"The sword and the spirit are the two mightiest forces in the world," he once said. "Yet the spirit is mightiest of the two."

Born in Ajaccio, Corsica, Napoléon became one of the world’s greatest leaders, conquering most of Europe in a series of brilliant military victories. He lived his life with optimism, courage, and self-confidence, and inspired his soldiers with passionate leadership.

"Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools," said the man who seized power of France in 1799, holding it until his final defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

His influence remains. The Napoleonic Code reformed law across Europe and guaranteed citizen freedom.

He observed, "A man will fight harder for his interests than for his rights."

Paris glows with reminders of him—especially the Arc de Triomphe. Napoléon envisioned the Arc as a triumphal passage for his victorious troops.

In 1840, a ceremonial procession bearing his remains passed under the Arc and ended at the Dome of the Invalides.