Re: Paintings depicting scenes from European history
Proclamation of the German Empire at Versailles (January 18th, 1871)
Author: Anton von Werner
Year: 1877
Location: ?
The German empire became a legal entity on 1 Jan 1871, but it still lacked executive bodies. After Wilhelm I showed his willingness to accept the imperial dignity on 18 Dec 1870, he announced that he accepted the crown on 14 Jan 1871 in a letter addressed to Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden, who acted as spokesman of the princes and of the free cities. The proclamation of the new emperor took place in the Hall of Mirrors of the Versailles Palace on 18 Jan 1871 between 12 noon and 1 p.m. In the course of the meeting attended by the German ruling princes and nobility, military commanders, diplomats and officials, Wilhelm announced that he accepted the crown and Otto von Bismarck read out his appeal to the German nation (dated 17 Jan 1871). The ceremony culminated in the speech of Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden, who proclaimed Wilhelm the German Emperor (Deutscher Kaiser).
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"Do not be suprised, my friend, that I long so much for remote lands in which people feel immensely rich with very little; it is true that I live in Rome enjoying a life of fame and prestige, but it is also true that I was born from Celts and Iberians."
--Marcus Valerius Martialis, Epigrammata
Last edited by Ferran; Friday, July 13th, 2007 at 05:13.
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