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While the designation of an Empire is far removed from modern discourse when discussing geo-political affairs (unless by more jaded non-interventionalists like myself in reference to the US) in our case it is still very much a moniker in the eWorld. After years of playing I was surprised to see a small icon change on the typical battles of the day. A beautiful golden laurel resting upon the base of our star spangled banner. It seems that today, the United States has fulfilled its real life expectation and has become an Empire.



Today I want to ask a question, but first a little history of a little known US Emperor.



Emperor Joshua Abraham Norton I was born in Kent, England 1818 and lived most of his life in South Africa. He arrived in San Francisco in 1849 where he was a moderately successful commodities trader until a failed attempt to corner the rice market off speculation of a Chinese famine.

This failure that left him far less well off than he had been may have caused a slight impact on his mental health, or he was a man who knew how to spend social capital. In 1859 Norton declared himself "Emperor of the United States" in a letter addressed to the local papers in the form of a manifesto. The paper found the letter of decree and manifesto amusing and decided to publish it. So it was, that Emperor Norton came to power.

Norton would outline various policy goals and ambitions he had both wild and visionary for his time. He called for the abolition of congress and even for the military to overthrow them. Demanded various churches like the Catholic Church ordain him as emperor, and even declared the need for a suspension bridge to be built in San Francisco a vision that would come to fruition with the construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bridge.

Norton was a known character to the city, and most folks delighted in his performance as Emperor. He would often get free lunches around the city and he would even mint his own currency which many would accept as part of the running bit.



When a group of private security paid by a few bitter and angry residents went to arrest Norton with the intent to commit him to a mental institution citizens became outraged and newspapers ran stories about the complete lack of Justice taking place. Police at this outrage immediately demanded the Emperor's release thereafter was saluted by every police officer in the city. The legend of Emperor Norton continued to grow.

He even dabbled in a bit of foreign relations apparently, sending letters to then King Kamehameha V of Hawaii. The King, even to the end of his reign did not recognize the US governments authority but did that of Emperor Norton. Likely due to the relationship they built in that correspondence.

Unfortunately on January 8, 1880 Norton passed away after collapsing on the streets of San Francisco. While every effort was done to save the self-declared monarchs life he passed away before he could make it to the hospital. While Norton had little money, community and business leaders put together for a funeral to honor the Emperor one that garnered the attention of 10,000 people to come see him before his burial. Today he is survived by a non-profit formed in his honor in 2013 called The Emperor Norton Trust which serves to promote the memory of the late Emperor.

So I ask, you, dear reader. Who will step forth in our great eNation to take the mantle of Emperor? Who among the many has the sheer determination, character, and will to stand forth and lead us in these glorious times (however long they may last)?

Maybe leave a comment on who you think should be emperor, or if you think you have what it takes.




Thanks for reading! If you want to learn more about Emperor Norton check out this: The Emperor Norton Trust

Malpazar