On this day in 1859, Joshua Abraham Norton declares himself his Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, Emperor of the United States of America. In 1863, when Napoleon III invaded Mexico, Norton added “Protector of Mexico” to his title. He would go on to print his own currency, execute imperial duties, and work tirelessly at foreign diplomacy. One noteworthy example of his foreign policy was his prolific letter writing campaign to Queen Victoria, suggesting that they marry to increase the strength of their nations.
