That's the 150th anniversary of Emperor Norton's three "bridge Proclamations" of 1872 — in which the Emperor set out the original vision for the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
It also is The Emperor's Bridge Campaign's new target year for persuading the California state legislature to pass a resolution simply adding "Emperor Norton Bridge" as an honorary name for the Bay Bridge — leaving in place all existing names for the bridge and its parts.
In 2016, we said that this should happen "by 2022." And, we identified three specific years that we thought offered the best symbolic opportunities for an "Emperor Norton Bridge" naming.
The first two were:
2018 — 200th anniversary of Emperor Norton's birth on 4 February 1818
2019 — 160th anniversary of the Emperor's public declaration of his reign on 17 September 1859
Depending on the legislative calendar, naming resolutions have to be passed in late August or early September. So, yes — legislatively speaking — 2019 is in the past tense, too.
Despite our best efforts, state and local lawmakers have passed on the "Emperor Norton Bridge" opportunity in both of these years.
Will the third time be the charm in 2022?
Let's make it so!!!
:: :: ::
All the pages and places for this effort — including this petition — have been updated to reflect 2022 as the new dateline.
The petition continues to grow and now is at 6,067 signatures (and counting).
Please continue to share the petition with all who salute the Emperor — and encourage them to sign, if they haven't already!
The most comprehensive source of information about the bridge-naming project is via
This is where you'll find the most complete and detailed resources — including our sample letter to lawmakers.
:: :: ::
Thanks so much for your previous and ongoing support of this effort!
Onward,
JOHN LUMEA
The Emperor's Bridge Campaign