Discover the incredible true story of Emperor Norton, America's first self-proclaimed emperor. In 1859, Joshua Abraham Norton declared himself ruler, and the citizens of San Francisco astonishingly accepted him as their monarch. Norton, dressed in a grand uniform with gold epaulets and a beaver hat, issued proclamations that envisioned the Golden Gate Bridge long before it was built. This eccentric yet beloved figure, known as the Protector of Mexico and the King of California, was a vocal advocate for tolerance and equality.

Despite financial ruin, Emperor Joshua Norton became a legendary figure in San Francisco history, issuing his own Norton currency and inspecting the city's infrastructure. His influence was so profound that his death in 1880 triggered a massive outpouring of grief, with 10,000 mourners attending his funeral. From his self-proclaimed title to his lasting impact on American history, Emperor Norton remains one of America's strangest historical figures.

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