A. Napoleon is born in Ajaccio, Corsica (1769).

B. He graduates from the École Militaire in Paris and becomes a second lieutenant in the artillery (1785).

C. Napoleon gains attention for his role in recapturing Toulon from royalist forces (1793).

D. He commands the French Army of Italy and wins major victories against Austrian forces (1796–1797).

E. Napoleon leads a French expedition to Egypt (1798).

F. In the Coup of 18 Brumaire, Napoleon helps overthrow the Directory and becomes a Consul (1799).

G. Napoleon becomes First Consul under a new constitution (1799).

H. The Napoleonic Code is introduced, creating a unified civil law system (1804).

I. Napoleon crowns himself Emperor of the French (1804).

J. The French Revolution begins, with the storming of the Bastille in Paris (1789).