18 June 1815
Battle of Waterloo

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Napoleon suffers such a conclusive defeat on the battlefield that 'Waterloo' enters the international lexicon as a description of a failure from which there can be no recovery. He had intended to defeat the Prussian forces under General Blücher before turning his attention to the British army under Wellington. Blücher is not beaten but only delayed, however, and his arrival at Waterloo comes in the nick of time to turn the course of the battle.
Now, finally, there is no way back for Napoleon. See also 'War against the French'.

'The nearest run thing you ever saw in your life.' Wellington

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