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Imperial proclamation in Versailles

Imperial proclamation in Versailles
Jan 18 1871
Proclamation of the German Empire (painting by Anton von Werner) Source: Bismarck-Museum Friedrichsruh

The Prussian King Wilhelm is proclaimed German Emperor

Tensions between France and Prussia increased following the dissolution of the German Confederation in 1866. When war eventually broke out in 1870, the central and southern German states sided with Prussia. German troops invaded France, routed its armies and even captured Emperor Napoleon III. Smarting at defeat, the French proclaimed a republic and prepared to continue the war.

Whilst German troops laid siege to Paris, the German princes met there on 1 January 1871 and decided to form a nation state; William I of Prussia was officially proclaimed as the first Emperor of Germany in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles on 18 January. An armistice was concluded soon afterwards and the subsequent peace treaty forced France to pay heavy reparations and cede Alsace-Lorraine to the new German Empire.

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The whole year at a glance

Safeguards against trash and smut
Dec 18
Artikel erst ab morgen verfügbar
Attack on the Christmas market at Berlin’s Breitscheidplatz
Dec 19 2016
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The death of Mrs Luther
Dec 20 1552
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The Basic Treaty
Dec 21 1972
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Fighting for freedom on the Hindu Kusch
Dec 22 2001
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Dec 23
No entry available
Dec 24
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Dec 25
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Dec 26
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Dec 27
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Dec 28
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Dec 29
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Dec 30
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Kölner Silvesternacht
Dec 31 2015
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2000 Jahre
12 Epochen
1 Stunde