Lithuanian Soldiers in the French Imperial Guard of Napoleon Bonaparte A Presentation by Historian, Educator, Lawyer, & Collector Richard Jasinski
Napoleon's Imperial Guard
Friday, September 22, 2017@ 7 pm
Lithuanian Soldiers in the French Imperial Guard of Napoleon Bonaparte
Presentation by historian, lawyer and collector Richard Jasinski
Location: Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, 6500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago IL 60629
Admission: $10 | Museum Members Free
Light refreshments will be served.
For more information and registration, please call the Museum at 773-582-6500 or e-mail at info@balzekasmuseum.org
The focus of this presentation is the origin and evolution of Napoleon Bonaparte’s Imperial Guard which expanded to include two exclusively Lithuanian regiments. Organization, unit histories, uniforms, equipment, battles and notable Lithuanian personalities will be discussed.
Learn how Lithuanians participated in arguably the most successful light cavalry charge in military history, how they repeatedly rescued and saved Napoleon from his enemies, how they were awarded titles of nobility, estates, pensions, and membership in the French Legion of Honor, and how and why Lithuanians joined Napoleon in exile on the island of Elba. Finally, related remarks will be made about the women in Napoleon’s life. His two wives and his secret love: a Polish countess. Included will be the role of the guard in his personal life.
You will see: Unique and original equipment, artifacts, documents, prints, and drawings.
These programs are made possible in part by grants from the Illinois Arts Council and ECPC