iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

"On September 17, 1859, Joshua Norton published a letter in a San Francisco newspaper declaring himself Emperor of the United States. This being San Francisco, the citizens embraced their new leader and Norton I., Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico would reign for 21 years."

This is a copy of a National Park Service LEGO Vignettes Facebook post. The entire text is as follows:

"On September 17, 1859, Joshua Norton published a letter in a San Francisco newspaper declaring himself Emperor of the United States. This being San Francisco, the citizens embraced their new leader and Norton I., Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico would reign for 21 years. In that time he issued his own money and made a number of decrees, including calls for a bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland. Efforts to name the Bay Bridge in his honor have yet to succeed, and we assume the lack of a National Park celebrating our first Emperor are simply an embarrassing oversight. Long live Emperor Norton!"

The image is of a Lago minifig of Emperor Norton seated in a chair, wearing a blue military uniform, braids and epaulettes, a naval bicorn hat with a red feather. He has a sword and, for some reason, an umbrella.

#19thc #victorian #legoparkranger #lego #nps

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BugLady 🎨🌿🦋 @buglady.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

The only emperor I will ever recognize. America misses you, you mad, glorious bastard.

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