Emperor Norton I
From MicroWiki
| Joshua Abraham Norton I Emperor of the United States, Protector of Mexico | |
| |
| Reign: | 1859-1880 |
| Date of Birth | c. 1819 |
| Place of Birth: | England |
| Death: | January 8, 1880 |
| Place of Death: | San Francisco, CA |
Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton I (c. 1819 - January 8, 1880) also known as Emperor Norton I and Emperor Joshua I, was self declared Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. Emperor Norton was born in England in about 1815, and later moved to San Francisco in 1849 from South Africa.
As Emperor
At the peremptory request and desire of a large majority of the citizens of these United States, I, Joshua Norton, formerly of Algoa Bay, Cape of Good Hope, and now for the last 9 years and 10 months past of S. F., Cal., declare and proclaim myself Emperor of these U. S.; and in virtue of the authority thereby in me vested, do hereby order and direct the representatives of the different States of the Union to assemble in Musical Hall, of this city, on the 1st day of Feb. next, then and there to make such alterations in the existing laws of the Union as may ameliorate the evils under which the country is laboring, and thereby cause confidence to exist, both at home and abroad, in our stability and integrity. NORTON I, Emperor of the United States.
During his reign, he had issued his own money in the form of bills which were accepted by the local stores where he regularly visited. The people of the area humoured Emporer Norton's beleif by refering to him as His Imperial Majesty. He had also proposed that a bridge should be built linking San Francisco to Oakland, which eventaully was built. Now there is a proposition that the bridge be named after him. Emperor Norton would often make Imperial Inspections of the sidewalks, cable cars, and dinning establishments. Many restaraunts in the area had his seal of approval. And plays and musical preformances would often reserve balcony seats for him and his two dogs.
Impact on Micronationalism
