Was Emperor Norton really born in 1819, as his gravestone says? Or was he born in 1818? At the next event of The Emperor's Bridge Campaign, we'll shed new light on the answer to this old question. Please join us for an "annotated birthday party." THE EMPEROR'S 197th BIRTHDAY A Party & Presentation of Recent Findings in Pursuit of the Elusive Answer to the Question: When Was Emperor Norton Born? Tuesday 3 February, from 7 to 10 p.m. Eric Quezada Center for Culture & Politics 518 Valencia Street (near 16th Street) San Francisco, California >>> A Fundraiser for The Emperor's Bridge Campaign <<< Goal: $1,000. Admission: $10-20 sliding scale donation requested (No one will be turned away.) Please RSVP via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/424962207652726 or by dropping us a line at http://www.EmperorsBridge.org/contact :: :: :: One of the most intractable mysteries surrounding Emperor Norton is the date of his birth. Most U.S. sources treat the year inscribed on the Emperor's gravestone in Colma, Calif. — 1819 — as authoritative. But, in researching this question over the past several weeks, The Emperor's Bridge Campaign has made a series of unreported (or underreported) discoveries that point to a date — 4 February 1818 — that challenges the conventional wisdom. A presentation of these findings will be the highlight of the evening. Of course, we'll serve wine and cake — it's a birthday party! (The cake will be the creation of the inestimable Countess Lola Montez, who — among her countless gifts and talents — is a professional baker. Who knew?) And, as a bonus: For the final hour or so of the event, we'll be screening two rarely seen television episodes — a 1956 episode of Death Valley Days and a 1966 episode of Bonanza — that interpret the story of Emperor Norton. :: :: :: The event is a fundraiser for The Emperor's Bridge Campaign. We are seeking to raise $1,000 — primarily to pay a decidedly unsexy $800 fee to the California Franchise Tax Board that comes due in April * — so that we can devote a greater portion of our resources this year to advance our mission of research, education and advocacy that fosters public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the life and legacy of Emperor Norton. One expression of this cultural-historical mission is the Campaign's ongoing effort to carry forward the call of the Change.org petition at https://www.change.org/p/name-the-bay-bridge-for-emperor-norton for the State of California to name the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge for Emperor Norton. It's very important that all who support the mission of The Emperor's Bridge Campaign — and who want to see the Campaign moving strongly into the future — join us for this event. Hope to see you on the 3rd! On the blog of The Emperor's Bridge Campaign http://www.emperorsbridge.org/blog/2015/1/10/the-emperors-197th-birthday-a-party-presentation-of-recent-findings * The Emperor's Bridge Campaign is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation, but we still are in the process of securing our federal and state tax-exempt status. Hence, the $800 fee for 2015. :: :: :: THE EMPEROR'S BRIDGE CAMPAIGN Official site >>> http://www.EmperorsBridge.org Facebook >>> https://www.facebook.com/EmperorsBridge Twitter >>> @EmperorsBridge Subscribe to our e-Newsletter >>> http://www.EmperorsBridge.org/signup/