So, of course, when the world’s formerly most powerful man escapes prison, a war is the only logical way to return him to his captors.
On this day in history, Napoleon Bonaparte arrived in Paris and began his Hundred Days Rule.
Exiled to Elba after the capture of Paris and his subsequent abdication, Napoleon retained his title as emperor and went to work building up a navy, developing iron mines and issuing decrees on modern agricultural methods. However, when he became of aware of rumors that he would be sent to a remote island in the Atlantic Ocean, he escaped from Elba on Feb. 26 and set sail for the mainland of France.
The fifth regiment of the line was sent to interrupt his return to France. When Napoleon was within gunshot range, he cried, “Here I am. Kill your Emperor, if you wish.” The regiment replied “Vive L’Empereur!” and marched with Napoleon to Paris
Upon arriving in Paris, he promised the peasants that they would not lose their land to the emigres, he promised fiscal reform to the city dwellers and to all Frenchmen he promised peace and prosperity. Of course, with the beginning of the Hundred Days Rule also came a war with Britain, Prussia, Russia and Austria.
Napoleon’s storied second rule was devoted almost entirely to securing his position and waging war on his enemies. He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and sent to a much more secure prison on the Island of St. Helena where he died a broken man in 1821.
On March 20, an informational meeting was held in the RBHS cafeteria at 7pm for the RBHS Bruin Girls, the school underwent a tornado drill in the afternoon and girl’s soccer had a rain out against Lee’s Summit, but 4,514 miles away and 197 years ago, the world’s most famous convict returned to Paris.
By Jessica Jost
