We live in Waterloo, only about a mile from the actual site of the famous June 1815 battle where Napoleon, once and for all, was given the boot, never to return to power. Napoleon's northward march from France had forced the attendees at the Congress of Vienna to put a hasty halt to their parties and soirees and send an allied army (primarily British under Wellington and Prussian under Bluecher) to defeat the Little One. In one of the largest single-day battles in world history, there were well over 50,000 casualties. In the vicinity there are still several original buildings which have survived from 1815 to the present, having endured a couple of other wars in the 20th century. To commemorate the battle, a large hill was formed, with a fierce lion placed atop it, facing toward Paris as if to say, "Don't even think about doing this again!" But they do:
Every few years they recreate the battle, with thousands of folks dressing up and playing the roles of French or allied troops. Even a few females participate (you'll see one in my picture), but I'm not sure how true to history that really would be. Once again, here in 2009, Napoleon lost. I'm reminded of the truism: "If at first you don't succeed, try try again. But if you still don't succeed, give up. There's no sense in being a damned fool about it!" Maybe Napoleon will think about it next time, but I doubt it...
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