Napoleon wore this hat at the battle of Waterloo on this day in 1815.
(Fox News) – An extremely rare ‘bicorne,’ or 2-pointed hat, that was worn by Napoleon Bonaparte at the Battle of Waterloo was sold at auction in France for $325,000 on Monday.
The hat went under the hammer for $325,052 at Lyon-based auction house De Baecque. The hat had a pre-sale estimate of $34,881 to $46,441.
The auction house told Fox News the bicorne was bought by a private European collector who is "passionate" about the period of the First French Empire.
Winston Churchill rallies Britain during World War 2 with his famous "finest hour" speech on this day in 1940.
On this day in 1815, at the Battle of Waterloo Napoleon was defeated by an international army under the Duke of Wellington. Napoleon abdicated on June 22.
The War of 1812 began as the U.S. declared war against Great Britain on this day in 1812. The conflict began over trade restrictions and numerous other disputes between the two countries.
On this day in 1928, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean when she flew from Newfoundland to Wales.
Dr. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger on this day in 1983.
Sally Kristen Ride (May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012)
Sir James Paul McCartney is 76 years old today.
Singer and multi-instrumentalist of The Beatles, Paul McCartney wrote such hit songs for the band as "Penny Lane," "Blackbird" and "Eleanor Rigby." After his time with The Beatles he formed the band Wings and embarked upon a solo career. He has earned 21 Grammy Awards across his career.
In Beijing on this day in 1989, Chinese troops stormed Tiananmen Square to crush the pro-democracy movement. It is believed that hundreds, possibly thousands, of demonstrators were killed.
The Battle of Midway began on t his day in 1942. It was the first major victory for America over Japan during World War II. The battle ended on June 6 and ended Japanese expansion in the Pacific.
An artist’s impression of the Battle of Midway.
On this day in 1896, Henry Ford made a successful test drive of his new car in Detroit, MI. He called the vehicle a "Quadricycle."
On this day in 1783, a hot-air balloon was demonstrated by Joseph and Jacques Montgolfier. It reached a height of 1,500 feet.
When Born in the U.S.A. was first released, it was met with positive reviews and massive commercial success. It produced seven top-10 hit singles and was promoted with a worldwide concert tour by Springsteen. Born in the U.S.A.became his most commercially successful album and one of the highest-selling records ever, having sold 30 million copies by 2012. It has also been cited by critics as one of the greatest albums of all time. The album received a nomination for Album of the Year at the 1985 Grammy Awards.
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen will be 69 September 23.
The Lusitania, a civilian ship, was sunk by a German submarine on during WW l on this day in 1915. A total of 1,201 people were killed.
Germany signed unconditional surrender ending World War II on this day in 1945. It would take effect the next day.
On this day in 1954, French Colonial Forces surrendered to the Viet Minh at Dien Bien Phu after 55 days of fighting.
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (May 7, 1840 – November 6, 1893)
Tchaikovsky is famous for composing "The Nutcracker" ballet, as well as numerous symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, and chamber-music pieces, he’s remembered as one of classical music’s most popular composers. He began taking piano lessons when he was five and was able to read music at the same level as his first piano teacher in only three years.
Bust sculpture monument to composer Peter Tchaikovsky near the music school in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Glenn Miller and His Orchestra recorded "Chattanooga Choo Choo” on this day in 1941.
During the U.S. Civil War on this day in 1862, the ironclads Monitor (left) and USS Merrimack (right), which had been rechristened the Virginia, fought to a draw in a five-hour battle at Hampton Roads, Virginia.
George Burns(Nathan Birnbaum) (January 20, 1896 – March 9, 1996)
George Burns was one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television. He and his wife, Gracie Allen, appeared on radio, television, and film as the comedy duo Burns and Allen.
