September 17

The United States, with its long history of freedom and opportunity, has long been a beacon in the darkness for people seeking a better life. In the 1840s, Joshua Abraham Norton, a poor orphaned Englishman, saw that light and made a beeline for America. As immigrants before and after him, Norton arrived on our shores with only the clothes on his back, hope and a suitcase filled with over $40,000 in cash. He worked hard in the land of opportunity and managed to achieve greatness. I offer the following as proof of his greatness: On the 17th in 1859, he declared himself Emperor Norton I, Emperor of these United States and Protector of Mexico[i]. His reign was notable for its lack of scandals involving small boys, though it was chock full of financial impropriety.

[i] Norton did everything by the book, so he issued an edict advising Congress of the change in chief executive. A portion of it reads:
WHEREAS, a body of men calling themselves the National Congress are now in session in Washington City, in violation of our Imperial edict of declaring the said Congress abolished;
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the repose of our Empire that the said decree should be strictly complied with;
NOW, THEREFORE, we do hereby Order and Direct Major-General Scott, the Command-in-Chief of our Armies, immediately upon receipt of this, our Decree, to proceed with a suitable force and clear the Halls of Congress.