This Day in History | Emperor Norton Dies

At the pre-emptory request 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 nine years and ten months past of San Fransisco, California, declare and proclaim myself the Emperor of These United States.

— Emperor Joshua Norton I, September 17, 1859

Some would call him a lunatic, a dreamer, a con artist . . .or the last (perhaps only) trustworthy American leader.

Any way you choose to see it, le Roi est mort and today’s the day we should remember his passing.