2. Napoleon Declares Himself Emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte, initially celebrated as a hero of the French Revolution and a proponent of liberty and reform, took a decisive step away from republican ideals by declaring himself Emperor of the French on May 18, 1804. This proclamation marked the end of the French Republic and the beginning of the First French Empire. His coronation ceremony on December 2, 1804, held at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, was a grand affair that blended elements of the ancien régime with revolutionary symbolism. Notably, Napoleon crowned himself, signaling his assertion of absolute authority. This act centralized power in his hands, initiated a series of military campaigns across Europe, and led to the suppression of political dissent, fundamentally altering the course of French and European history. (history.com)
