Why Do We Track a President's First 100 Days?

Deemed by some to be an arbitrary deadline foisted on new presidents by the media, the importance of the first 100 days of leadership of a country actually derives from Napoleon. Napoleon Bonaparte, after 20 years in power and with an army of over half a million soldiers, had expanded France's empire to surrounding countries with much success. However, on April 20, 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte left his position as Emperor of France after his failed invasion of Russia and subsequent defeat at the hands of the Allies. As punishment, he was memorably exiled to the island of Elba, where many people falsely assume he died.

In reality, after only 10 months in Elba (a small island off the coast of Italy), Napoleon escaped back into France to reassume his title as Emperor. He arrived on French soil in March of 1815, then, 100 days later, lost the famous battle of Waterloo to English and Prussian armies on June 18, 1815. It is for this reason that the 100 days marker has been applied as an important moment in any presidency, and it is one that has been around for many years.

This battle, of course, is also made famous as the origination of the idiomatic expression "to meet one's Waterloo." Politicians have taken notice, and have appropriated Napoleon's example to their own powers, hoping that they will not face an insurmountable defeat after 100 days in office.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt also used to to mark the moment by which he would have fully implemented the first of his two-part plan to help the ailing nation. Rather than focus on the long-lasting reform that would need time to take effect, he used the quick deadline to provide immediate relief for those who needed it most.

By the end of FDR's first 100 days in office, he had created the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Reconstruction Finance Authority, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and strengthened federal regulations across the board. While much of his New Deal was shot down in later days, these first projects are seen as as big reason the New Deal worked, and a reason why a new president should try to accomplish most of his agenda while he or she has the political momentum to do so.

Napoleon Bonaparte Farewell Speech, http://www.historyplace.com/

The First 100 Days, http://www.huppi.com/