On this day Napoleon was crowned as Emperor of the French at a lavish ceremony in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Various dignitaries, including Pope Pius VII attended the ceremony which was described as a “masterminded piece of modern propaganda.” Napoleon had already declared the French Republic as an Empire and wanted to strengthen his new monarchy, nobility and future dynasty. His reign as Emperor lasted for ten years before his army was finally defeated by the Sixth Coalition of European nations and he was forced to abdicate.
Napoleon: Emperor of the French
2nd December 1804