What do you know about Napoleon Bonaparte? That he was an ambitious and skilled military man? That he had some height issues? There is one story about Napoleon that history sometimes forgets and should be brought to light - the story of his greatest defeat. No, not Waterloo. We’re talking about the Battle of Bunnies.
In July 1807, Napoleon and his men wanted to celebrate the signing of the Treaties of Tilsit with Alexander I of Russia. And apparently, the best way to do that was by going on a rabbit hunt. Chief of Staff Alexandre Berthier was all over the task. He arranged an outdoor luncheon, invited some of the military’s biggest names, and most importantly, collected a colony of rabbits.
Some accounts of the event say he managed to obtain several hundred bunnies for the occasion, while others claim there were as many as 3000. In any case, there were a lot of rabbits. It was going to be a great day.
On the day of the hunt, the cages were placed along the edges of a massive field, awaiting Napoleon and his men. As soon as they arrived, the action was on. The bunnies were released, the brave hunters galloped into the field. But then, a strange thing happened. Instead of scattering in fear, the bunnies huddled and ran straight towards Napoleon and his men. Long ears and fuzzy tails were swarming the hunting party in their hundreds. A few historians compared them to revolutionaries storming the Bastille.
As he realized the enemy had no intention to retreat, Napoleon fled to his carriage. According to historian David Chandler, “with a finer understanding of Napoleonic strategy than most of his generals, the rabbit horde divided into two wings and poured around the flanks of the party and headed for the imperial coach.” Even then, the attack didn’t stop. Reportedly, a few brave bunnies followed him and leaped into the carriage itself.
Only when the coach rolled away did the man dominating Europe get some relief. Some stories say that a few bunnies were seen flying out of the windows as the carriage took off.
How could this happen? Blame it on Berthier. In an attempt to be over the top and get as many rabbits as possible, he took the easy way and brought tame rabbits from local farmers, rather than trapping wild hares. These domesticated bunnies didn’t have the natural instinct to fear humans. On the contrary, they saw Napoleon and his hunting party as a bunch of waiters, about to bring in today’s food.
Learn All About the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World...
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World serve as testament to the imagination, ingenuity, and sheer hard work of which human beings are capable. Learn more here.
You Already Know - Pets are the Best Comedians!
If you own a pet, you'll probably agree with us in this one - there's nothing quite as effortlessly funny as cats and dogs!
Captured in Motion: The Flight of the...Dog
These photographs are so intense, the dogs in them seem to look you straight in the eye!
13 Times Dogs Didn't Know What the Heck was Going On!!
These dogs are so confused it's simply hilarious!
These Cute pets Have Been Extremely Well Trained!
Everyone should do their bit to keep the planet clean and our pets are no exception. This is the cutest clean-up crew ever!
10 Shocking Mysteries From Human History
10 incredible mysteries we know very little about.
WATCH: This Is One Free Gift That Everybody Yearns For
If there's one thing you can do to provide solace, comfort, and love to someone else, it's by cuddling them. Watch this video for more about wonderful hugging.
Baby Boomers, Do You Remember These Vintage Products?
If you are member of the baby boomer generation, you may just remember these nostalgic products from your childhood.
These 14 Photos Are All Remarkable For Different Reasons
There are some photos we come across that just compel us to take a second look, and these 14 are no exception. Take a look!
These Feel-Good Facts Warmed My Heart...
These feel-good facts would warm anyone's heart.
Can You Guess the Meaning of These 20 Common Surnames?
We kind of take surnames for granted, as they are just passed down to us. But every name has an origin and meaning, and some might surprise you.
7 Notable Han Dynasty Inventions That Changed the World
Here, we look at some of the great inventions from the Han dynasty of China that had a great impact on the world.
51 of the Tastiest Cheeses From All Over the World!
In this article you’ll find 51 of the tastiest cheeses from around the world. Some you have probably heard of, while others will be totally new to you!
News That Inspires: Positive Stories From Around the World
There are so many good things happening in the world. Here’s a look at some of the most inspiring news updates to brighten your day.
22 Of the Weirdest & Wackiest Facts Most People Don't Know
Did you know that Australia was once known as ‘New Holland’? Discover many such weird but true facts here.
6 Creepy Mysteries the World Never Solved
There are some mysteries that, despite scientists’ best attempts, still remain unsolved to this day. Here are 6 such mysteries.
Do You Remember the Moments That Defined the 1960s?
The 1960s were a hugely important decade, setting the tone for the next 50 years that succeeded then. Here are 10 of the things that defined the decade.
10 Common French Loanwords You’re Probably Mispronouncing
French loanwords that are pronounced differently or mean something else entirely in French
You Won't Believe What This Man Built in His Back Yard...
This man has created something amazing at his home that has immediately become my dream.
12 Rules for Basic Etiquette that Should Still be Practiced
It feels like people forgot the meaning of politeness, well these 12 rules of manners should be read, remembered and acted upon.
Got a Problem? Maybe These Funny Fixes Will Inspire You!
The fixes for these problems are going to bring a huge grin to your face!
Do You Remember Playing Like These Photographed Children?
In the days before cellphones, the internet, and the like, we children had to learn how to make our fun. Remember playing like these retro kids?
Here Are 10 Feel-Good News Stories That Deliver a Smile
Feeling down? Let these good news stories bring a smile to your face.
She Will Never Forget Her Marriage Proposal. Ever.
This is a Marriage Proposal For the Books...
8 Essential Greek Philosophy Books You Shouldn't Miss
Here is your best chance for understanding Greek philosophy and its history.
The Many Calendars of the Modern World - Fascinating!
This video reviews some of the most common calendars in the modern world.
18 Fun Facts You Likely Never Heard of Cutely Illustrated
Don't the cute exterior of these illustrations deceive you. This is a real treasure trove of fascinating facts about the world we live in
This Ancient Cabinet is FULL of Surprises...
One of the finest achievements of European furniture making!
24 Classic Books That Give You Important Life Lessons
Here is a look at ten great classic books that have some deep underlying moral lessons for all of us.
These Photos Make Sure We Will Never Forget WW2
These photos document some of the moments of this epic yet haunting time in our history. I hope that future generations will not forget the lessons that war has taught us.
WATCH: The Incredible Kindness of Strangers Is Wonderful
Strangers can be incredibly compassionate, and this is just as true when helping out an animal in distress. Watch this heart-warming video.
The Battle of Midway: Exploring a Decisive WWII Victory
In this clip from the history channel, we dive deep into the great naval fight - the Midway Battle.
12 Typical American Things That Didn’t Originate in the US
Many things we often think are typically American, such as cowboys, comic strips and mac & cheese, have actually started far away from the USA
26 Vintage Celebrity Photos Filled with Undeniable Charm
Let's take a look at 26 vintage photos filled with undeniable charm.
This Amazing Maze Has Taken the Internet By Storm!
Watch this intriguing video which features a maze of marbles and magnets.
Impress Your Friends With These Quirky Latin Phrases
Make yourself look wiser and more romantic by using these ten Latin phrases on a daily basis.
Each Of These 35 Places Represents a Worldly High or Low
When it comes to records, these countries and cities stand at the top (and bottom) of the tree.
Grandma Gets Asked a Question and Has a Perfect Response
When I asked grandma what she thought of events in recent years, I found her answer intriguing. It made me realize how much things have changed...
Full Documentary: The Fascinating History of the Dark Ages
Watch this fascinating documentary that sheds some great insight into how Rome fell, and what the Dark Ages actually consisted of.
Here Are 14 Things We Bet You Never Knew About Chocolate!
How much do we really know about chocolate? Here are 14 things we bet you didn’t know about chocolate!
The Story of the Roman Atlantis: The Ancient City of Baiae
In this article, we will explore what life was like in Baiae, why the city sank, and its rediscovery by explorers.
Step Back In Time: A Glimpse Into '50s and '60s New York
New York City was a vastly different places in the 1950s and 60s. These black and white photos by Vivian Maier captured it perfectly.
12 Freaky Photos of Olympians That Will Shock You
These surreal pictures of Olympians will make you see athletes in a different light.
From Across the Decades, These Photos are Fascinating!
Join us as we take you through the ages and see some really incredible sights!
Incredible Maps: The World of Second Languages!
We all know the main languages, but these maps of second languages really surprised me!
Have You Been Believing These Christmas Myths Too?
Read on for several myths about Christmas stories and traditions.
20 Things Most People Think Are the Same, But Aren't!
These words are often mistaken for synonyms, but in reality they are nothing of the sort, because they refer to different things. Learn about 20 of them.,