Coronation of Napoleon I

The coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte took place on December 2, 1804, at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris and became one of the most significant events in the history of France, marking the transition from a revolutionary republic to an empire.

After the French Revolution and years of political instability, Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power as First Consul and later became consul for life. Through a series of military victories and widespread popular support, he gained immense authority. In 1804, the Senate proclaimed him Emperor of the French - a decision ratified by a constitutional referendum.

On Sunday, December 2, 1804, a solemn religious coronation ceremony was conducted by Pope Pius VII, followed by the actual coronation inside Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which lasted nearly five hours.

Napoleon placed the crown on his own head, a symbolic gesture to show that his authority did not come from the Church but from the people and his personal achievements.

The coronation solidified the new Napoleonic Empire and sent a strong message to the monarchies of Europe - that centralized power had returned to France under a powerful new ruler.

P.S. Image attribution: Jacques-Louis David, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons