On 21 March 1804, France adopted the Napoleonic Code, a groundbreaking legal framework that emphasized clearly written, accessible laws and the principles of equality before the law.
Replacing the patchwork of feudal and royal statutes, the code enshrined key Enlightenment ideals, such as property rights, secular authority, and the abolition of hereditary privileges.
Though authoritarian in some respects, it became one of Napoléon’s most enduring legacies, influencing legal systems across Europe, Latin America, and beyond. Its impact persists to this day, serving as a cornerstone of civil law traditions worldwide.
