Established by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19, 1802, the Legion of Honour (Ordre National de la Légion d’honneur) is the highest order of merit for civil and/or military merit awarded by France. The Legion of Honour reflects the ideals of French Republic by being an egalitarian order with membership including men and women, soldiers and civilians, and French citizens and foreigners regardless of social class, race, religion, or other such divisions. The order is awarded for excellent civil or military conduct.