A 19th-Century Spanish Christmas - Shannon Selin
American traveller Caroline Cushing provided the following description of a Spanish Christmas in Madrid in 1829.| Shannon Selin
American traveller Caroline Cushing provided the following description of a Spanish Christmas in Madrid in 1829.| Shannon Selin
New Year’s Day was a bigger celebration than Christmas in 19th-century France.| Shannon Selin
Many Bonapartists fled to the United States after Napoleon’s 1815 defeat. What did Americans think of the French exiles in their midst?| Shannon Selin
What began as a New England tradition gradually spread to other states, although not without resistance.| Shannon Selin
Although John C. Calhoun has often been judged harshly. he had a long, complex and accomplished political career, and was an effective US war secretary.| Shannon Selin
Christmas Eve traditions in 19th century Pennsylvania included shopping, merry-making, and a visit from ‘Bellschniggle,’ Christkindle or St. Nicholas.| Shannon Selin
A selection of newspaper extracts to give you the flavour of an early 19th century Christmas, including some puzzles to amuse you during the holidays.| Shannon Selin
While Napoleon did nothing special for his first Christmas in exile on St. Helena in 1815, the British cheered themselves with a recipe for Bonypart pie.| Shannon Selin
The grand couvert was a ceremony in which French royalty dined in front of members of the public. Napoleon re-introduced the ritual when he became Emperor.| Shannon Selin
The Tuileries Palace in Paris was a favourite residence of both Napoleon I and Louis XVIII. Sadly, this magnificent palace no longer exists.| Shannon Selin
Fancy a royal wedding? Napoleon Bonaparte and his second wife Marie Louise had three of them: a marriage by proxy, a civil wedding and a religious wedding. Here’s a look at the festivities.| Shannon Selin
Glimpses of Christmas celebrations in early 19th-century Mexico| Shannon Selin
Napoleon saw no separation between church and state.| Shannon Selin
Celebrating Christmas in Vienna in 1836| Shannon Selin
What did people find funny 200 years ago?| Shannon Selin
Christmas gift ideas in the 19th century ranged from "a well-chosen book" to "elegant preparations for the toilet" to bread, bullocks, and coal.| Shannon Selin
Would you rather eat sweetbread or sweetmeat?| Shannon Selin
The Wellington Door Knocker was invented by London ironmonger David Bray in 1814. Door knockers were a common feature of 19th-century life, until replaced by the electric doorbell.| Shannon Selin
Charades, which began in France as a type of riddle, became a popular 19th-century parlour game. Sit in on a game played by the Duke of Wellington in 1821.| Shannon Selin
Transparencies (paintings on see-through paper or cloth) were a DIY craze in the early 19th century.| Shannon Selin
Although people in the early 1800s could not shop at supermarkets or department stores, they had plenty of other opportunities to buy things.| Shannon Selin
Panoramas were large circular paintings that aimed to give the viewer the experience of being physically present in the scene being depicted - an early attempt at virtual reality.| Shannon Selin
The 20 Questions game was introduced to Americans through British Prime Minister George Canning. Let's sit in on a game he played in 1823.| Shannon Selin
Fanny Fern (Sara Payson Willis Parton), America's first female newspaper columnist, satirized marriage in the mid-19th century.| Shannon Selin
Though King George IV hated Canning, the Tories couldn’t stay in power without him.| Shannon Selin
The King of France and the French royal family lived in England throughout much of the Napoleonic Wars, generously subsidized by the British government.| Shannon Selin
A hostess in Regency London had plenty to do to get her house ready for an evening party, even if she did have servants to help her.| Shannon Selin
What could you get for your money 200 years ago?| Shannon Selin
In the Battle of Dresden (August 26-27, 1813), French troops under Napoleon Bonaparte defeated a much larger Austrian, Prussian and Russian force.| Shannon Selin
Napoleon believed women were inferior to men. He acted accordingly.| Shannon Selin
Though reports of people living past 100 were common in the 1800s, most were probably false.| Shannon Selin
In 1821, after years of obsessive work, John Quincy Adams produced a Report Upon Weights and Measures. He thought it would be his most important literary accomplishment.| Shannon Selin
Beginning at age 50, 6th US President John Quincy Adams went swimming almost every summer in the Potomac River in Washington, DC. Once he nearly drowned.| Shannon Selin
A John Quincy Adams portrait at Harvard University features a head by Gilbert Stuart and body by Thomas Sully. Here's how that happened.| Shannon Selin
Every New Year’s Day, 6th US President John Quincy Adams offered his reflections on the past year. Here is a sample of his New Year’s Day musings.| Shannon Selin
The presidential election of 1824 was marked by a bitter campaign and an outcome that had to be decided by the House of Representatives.| Shannon Selin
Though critical of Napoleon, John Quincy Adams had a sneaking admiration for the French Emperor, especially compared to the hereditary rulers of Europe.| Shannon Selin
If you liked "10 Interesting Facts About Napoleon Bonaparte," you might enjoy these interesting facts about Napoleon’s family.| Shannon Selin
Enjoy these vintage photos of 19th-century French royalty, including Napoleon's widow, Charles X's grandchildren, King Louis Philippe, Napoleon III, & more.| Shannon Selin
The Battle of Leipzig, fought from October 16 to 19, 1813 in Germany, was the largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars. Over 500,000 soldiers were involved.| Shannon Selin
Tired of syrupy talk about royal weddings? Here’s a scathing article about the wedding of some 19th-century British royals.| Shannon Selin
What did Louis XIV, Napoleon's widow Marie Louise, and Archduke Franz Ferdinand have in common? They all had morganatic marriages.| Shannon Selin
It’s like a set piece from a movie: the wives of two famous enemies meet, gossip about their estranged husbands, and sing a Mozart duet.| Shannon Selin
In April 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte was sent into exile on Elba. Ten months later, he regained the French crown. How did Napoleon escape from Elba?| Shannon Selin
Despite portrayals of him as the number one enemy of England, Napoleon had some prominent British supporters during the Napoleonic Wars.| Shannon Selin
Italian singer, teacher & composer Girolamo Crescentini (1766-1846) was one of Napoleon's favourite singers. As a castrato, he had the voice of a male soprano.| Shannon Selin
President James Monroe met Napoleon when he was in France to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase. He later became alarmed at Napoleon's ambition.| Shannon Selin
What was Niagara Falls like without all of its tourist trappings?| Shannon Selin
Many 19th-century packing tips sound remarkably like those of today.| Shannon Selin
Napoleon cultivated an easily recognizable image by keeping his wardrobe simple. The three basic pieces were a modest uniform, a bicorne hat and an overcoat.| Shannon Selin
There are so many myths about Napoleon that it is sometimes hard to separate fact from fiction. Here are ten popular myths about the French Emperor.| Shannon Selin
Estimates of the number of soldiers killed in battle during the Napoleonic Wars range from 500,000 to almost 2 million. What happened to all of those bodies?| Shannon Selin
Napoleon was a busybody when it came to his family.| Shannon Selin
Napoleon was born on August 15, 1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica. There are many myths about his birth, and one myth-like thing that is true.| Shannon Selin
Things you might not know about America's sixth president| Shannon Selin
Virginie's story was popular, but was it true?| Shannon Selin
Napoleon's niece and her scandalous marriages| Shannon Selin
The life and death of a fabulous royal residence near Paris| Shannon Selin
If you were taking a trip before the dawn of rail travel, you’d likely be stopping at a post-house.| Shannon Selin
Ten popular quotes by Napoleon Bonaparte, with details about the context in which he wrote or said them.| Shannon Selin
