Spring 1802 seemed happy in the beginning of this century, because never before had the glory of Napoleon Bonaparte, first consul of France, was not so great. Even the first triumphal victory did not bring this appreciation compatriots such sincere joy of the French people and all peoples of Europe, as a day, stopping an uncompromising war with England.
Two months after the conclusion of peace Amenskogo, May 19, 1802, was promulgated a law on the establishment of a consul Napoleon the Order of Legion of Honor. Prior to that, after the French Revolution, together with the collapsed absolutism in the country were canceled all orders. Aversion to everything connected with the royal power was so great that the French rejected and the principle of awarding orders and medals. However, at the very beginning of the revolution, in 1789, the Legislative Assembly of France, all the same considering the establishment of the honorary mark "National appreciation. He was to be a cross with an image of hands joined in a handshake and an inscription: "Appreciation Nation." But that did not come because of the Revolutionaries believed that any award ceremony is an affront to the principle of universal equality.
Time passed, and France remained without a winning ... Then came the Order of the Legion of Honor, which was to meet the new social structure of the State in which there was no social-class constraints. Even its name the new Order of point to the fact that it is not linked with any religion, nor with the old traditions.
Badge of the Order of the Legion of Honor has become pyatiluchevaya Star covered with white enamel and framed with green wreath of laurel and oak leaves. Placed in the center of profile image of Napoleon, and went around the inscription: "First Consul Bonaparte May 19, 1802.
History of the Order of the Legion of Honor investigated in detail, but until now researchers have not agreed on its role in the social life of France, the beginning of the XIX century.
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Photo: "FRENCH with the
Legion of Honor" |
Major disputes are conducted around the question of whether the organization or the award of the Order and its role in public life of the First Empire. The very law establishing the Order of the Legion of Honor has caused quite contradictory rumor and opinion. Some saw in it a means to strengthen the Republic, as well as orders in the statute referred to the duty of serving her and the protection of freedom and equality. Was there even an article calling the fight against all attempts to "restore the feudal system and the associated privileges and rights."But in the same statute was attended by the articles, which are very confused by the Republicans. The original medal was shared by the organization of the country for 15 cohorts (then the total to 16) - the primary organizations. Appointed to the Order, Napoleon used military terminology in part, in part, the names of the degrees of the Order of St. Louis. Ordinary Member of the Order known as Legionnaires, and then went the officer, Major General and senior officers. Each of the ranks in line with a certain sign of orders based on the five-finger cross, ending "dovetail" and filled with white enamel. In each of the cohorts had 7 senior officers who received salary of 5000 francs each, 20 majors - by 2000 francs, 30 officers - to 1000 francs and 350 legionnaires. In a large administrative council composed of the Order of the Legion of Honor only "senior officers" - the coming of Napoleon associates, which is itself distributed all higher ranks and positions, as well as a boss and president of the Legion of Honor Grand Council. Was created is a privileged caste, which was designed to protect the equality, but in fact it turns out that the Order of the Legion of Honor refutes this principle.
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Photo: "FRENCH with the
Legion of Honor" |
"Is this not a step to the creation of the aristocracy?" - asked Burleigh, and voting in legislative bodies of 158 votes have been filed against.But the Order of the Legion of Honor yet been established, and for the ribbon, Napoleon chose the color of red carnations, as well as the people and the army it was about bravery and courage. In so doing, perpetuate the role of cloves in the history of France, Consul immortalized love, which for centuries nurtured the flower to the French nation.
In 1804, when Napoleon became emperor, the inscription on his profile with the Legion of Honor has changed: "NAPOLEON EMP. DES FRANCAIS "(" Napoleon, Emperor of the French "). In the time of the First Empire, the Order is divided into five degrees. Grand Cross, Big Sam, the Commander, officers and Chevalier (Kavalerskaya). The Order of the Legion of Honor has become the universal reward that does not know any social or national or professional constraints. But women do not usually cross medal awarded, however, were exceptions to the rule. For example, Marie-Jean Shelenk, participant of many years of military campaigns, 1792-1808, for the excellent service, and demonstrated courage in the battles Napoleon personally awarded the distinctive emblem "beau" Legion of Honor, and granted her a pension of 700 francs per year.
Awarded the Order of the military person - from the marshals to the lower ranks, so he became the first large order of the XIX century. Napoleon′s army continued to grow, and the First Empire, the Order of the Legion of Honor were awarded to 50,000 people. It became so popular in the army that had no subsequent change in policy could not cancel it. I only have pictures and inscriptions on the orders cross and stars.
After the fall of Napoleon as a military-political organization, The Order of the Legion of Honor has become dangerous for the Government of the restoration.
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Photo: "FRENCH with the
Legion of Honor" |
But as a reward, he was so popular in the army that King Louis XVIII dared not cancel it. But awards, born revolution, it has become a royal. However, the question immediately arose as to what is now placed in the center of Order instead of the cross profile of Napoleon? Louis XVIII decided not to offer his portrait, and the star is located in the center socket of the profile of King Henry IV, and the stars are located between the ends of lily - the flower of French kings. Now you and the appropriate inscription: "Henry IV, King of France and Navarre."However, in this adventure the Order of Legion of Honor not terminated. In 1848 in France triumphed Second Republic and its president, Louis Napoleon III returns Order mark his initial appearance time of the Consulate of Napoleon Bonaparte. On orders mark again a portrait of his uncle and the inscription "Honneur et Patrie" ( "Honor and Fatherland"). But after 4 years of French President declared himself emperor, and to sign the Order of the Legion of Honor is back Emperor Napoleon I. Profile
The last change in the appearance of the sign of an Order in 1870, when France again won the republic. Since then, in the middle front of the cross on a green background, depicted the golden head of the goddess of liberty Marianne - the symbol of France, and around on the blue rim with gold letters, an inscription: "REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE". The reverse side shows two crossed the French flag, and on the blue rim around the motto of the order is placed: "HONNEUR ET PATRIE" ( "Honor and Fatherland").
An interesting case of awarding the Order of the Legion of Honor for leading his book I. Mozheiko when this award was awarded a dove.
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Photo: "FRENCH with the
Legion of Honor" |
In 1916, under the Verdun were bloody trench fighting, and the garrison of the fort in a long time received no support. Iznemogaya of constant German attack, he was already almost on the verge of death. In those days dovish-mail was already quite commonplace, and the garrison of the fort in has decided to use it. But what if the pigeon, which had remained on the loft fort, was poisoned by the gas? When attached to his foot aluminum tube with a note of relief, he could not even fly. On several occasions, the commander of the garrison throw the bird up, but every time impotently pigeon fell in a heap of rubble. Finally he still managed to rise, and the bird took a course in its Verdun dovecote.In response to the distance from VERDUN was small, and within minutes had dove down onto the roof. He did just a few steps, then fell dead to the ground to the feet ran Corporal. Read the note, sent to the fort in relief and saved the garrison from destruction. And the next day to learn about the heroism of a dove, all France, and the president of a special decree awarded pigeon (posthumously) with the Legion of Honor. Because of the hero and then made guy who put in a Paris museum, where it is to this day.
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French actor. Appeared in films: "Razin," "Big Walk", "Little bather," gendarme of the Saint-Tropez "," Fantomas "," man-band ", etc.
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Swedish writer. Author of novels for children, "Pippi Longstocking - Long Stocking" (1945-1952), "The Kid and Carlson, who lives on the Roof" (1955-1968), "Rasmus-bum" (1956), "The Brothers Lionheart" (1979), "Ronia, the Robber′s Daughter" (1981), etc. 
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