Random factoid is random but cool

[donutsweeper]

Did you know the United States once had an emperor?

On September 17, 1859, Joshua Abraham Norton distributed letters to newspapers in San Francisco stating he "declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these U.S."

He later went on to dissolved the United States of America and also barred Congress from meeting in Washington, D.C.

He "reigned" over the United States as Emperor (along with the added responsibility of being the "Protector of Mexico") for 21 years, until his death on January 8, 1880.

The official 1870 census, by the way, had his occupation listed as "Emperor" (although it did also list him as insane).



(click 3x to see full sized, his entry is on line 24)

....things you learn O.o

Comments

[skipthedemon.livejournal.com]

Emperor Norton is one my favorite historical kooks. He seems have been a mostly well loved resident odd ball. Lot of people showed up at his funeral. Also, Neil Gaiman wrote about him in the Sandman comics.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

There were thousands at his funeral. Mark Twain apparently liked him and wrote an obit for one of his dogs.

He is just such a wonderful historical kook. History needs more of these sorts of people.

[indigocat.livejournal.com]

The first time I heard of our emperor was in Ishmael by Barbara Hambly.

And he's mentioned in a Juliet Blackwell novel that came out in December.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Oh, I haven't read that by Barbara Hambly (I'm reading "Those Who Hunt The Night" at the moment) Is it good?

I love that Emperor Norton is mentioned in fiction so often. He deserves to be remembered.

[indigocat.livejournal.com]

It's a Star Trek novel that is an unoffical crossover with another Paramount series called Here Comes the Brides which starred David Soul and Sarek of Vulcan. It's worth the read. I think I have a text file of it somewhere.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I know next to nothing about ST:TOS, but when I finish the stack of books I have now I'll look for it

[haldane.livejournal.com]

All good Emperors are insane.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

*vbg* Most likely!

[rustydog.livejournal.com]

...while researching for fic?

That is an awesome tidbit of history. :)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Actually I was listening to the podcast "Stuffed You Missed In History Class" which is has all sorts of awesome topics. I thought about having Jack meet him, but it was before his time.

hmmm, although the Doctor could meet him....

[bluetooth16.livejournal.com]

I love old timey crackpots who use the press to advocate for their craziness!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Hey, if it works.... right?

And it did work, he ate anywhere he wanted for free and the entire city apparently loved him. I think he was brilliant in his own way

[bluetooth16.livejournal.com]

This guy was a professional troll, I am completely convinced! That's not a bad gig to get.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Not at all! :)

[bluetooth16.livejournal.com]

It makes me want to give up my career goals and start trolling full time. ;)

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Hey, who needs a career when you can declare yourself emperor?

[bluetooth16.livejournal.com]

I should call myself Empress of the World just for the lolz! I'm sure free meals will follow!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Although it's possible people in 2011 aren't quite as humorous about it as they were in the 1860s and '70s

[phoenix64.livejournal.com]

Though I had heard of him beforehand, the Sandman issue about him is what will always stick in my head. He was NEAT.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

He was, wasn't he? :)

[karaokegal.livejournal.com]

Emperor Norton is a great figure of San Francisco history, and was apparently the first to argue that there should be a bridge from San Francisco to the East Bay and therefore many people have suggested that the Oakland-Bay Bridge be renamed in his honor. Probably not gonna happen, but would be totally awesome.

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Yes he did! His decree about the bridge (sept 1872)

WHEREAS, we issued our decree ordering the citizens of San Francisco and Oakland to appropriate funds for the survey of a suspension bridge from Oakland Point via Goat Island; also for a tunnel; and to ascertain which is the best project; and whereas the said citizens have hitherto neglected to notice our said decree; and whereas we are determined our authority shall be fully respected; now, therefore, we do hereby command the arrest by the army of both the Boards of City Fathers if they persist in neglecting our decrees.

he also decreed the city should never be called Frisco, and people should be fined $25 if they do so :)

[karaokegal.livejournal.com]

he also decreed the city should never be called Frisco, and people should be fined $25 if they do so :)

A good and wise man indeed!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

*hee* He called it an "abominable word"

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

*is amused*

I'm also hungry, but I'll have to address that problem later...


ETA *pouts* I daren't read your NCIS posts :(

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

*offers donuts*

Has the new season of NCIS started for you yet?

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

Well! Where to begin!
We were SUPPOSEDLY getting them only a week or two behind you guys, then FX put it on "Christmas Break" at the end of Enemies Foreign (at the end of November/beginning of December) and we won't get Enemies Domestic until February!!!!!!!!!!

Two months for Christmas WTF?

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

I don't think you're that far behind us, we haven't had many new episodes since Nov sweeps, maybe 3 more episodes have aired here?

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

That makes me feel somewhat mollified.

They're currently reshowing S8 from the beginning - tonight's is episode 3 - so it will be 6 weeks before we get the new ones. *flails sadly*


Nov sweeps
I don't know what that is?

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

In the US Nov, Feb and May are "sweeps" months. Here shows are made or broken by viewing numbers (you may have heard of the Nielsen ratings). Rating in general are watched and fussed over, but it is during the 'sweeps' times that determine how much the network can charge for the ads that run during the show, so the BIG episodes always air then- weddings, births, explosions, deaths, etc

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

I knew that went on - you can't really NOT notice when you're in fandom - but not that those months were designated 'sweeps'months. Nor had I really absorbed it happens 3 times a year. Oops!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

It's not as noticable when you're just watching episodes. I mean, seasons always end with a big bang sort of episode so the fact that it happens to be in May that that happens isn't surprising. Usually Feb's sweeps are kind of mild too, which doesn't help.

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

*nods*
And of course over here, the episodes themselves are not aired at the same time as over there. On one show we may only be a week or two behind, while on another show we're months out!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

if you get to see them at all- a frustration I can well understand

I don't get BBC America so no Doctor Who here through legal means

[mad-jaks.livejournal.com]

no Doctor Who
The horror!

[donutsweeper.livejournal.com]

Tis terrible. But I have been catching up on Old!Who with the kids so its not as bad as it could be