January 18, 1871 - Wilhelm the First is Proclaimed German Emperor in the Palace of Versailles

For approximately seven years, the Kingdom of Prussia had been attempting to unify the smaller German nations under its’ crown. This project had been led by the Prussian Chancellor, Otto Von Bismarck, who decided in 1870 that the German principalities needed a solid enemy that they would all unite against. To this end, he published the “Ems Telegram”, a mildly edited communication between the French ambassador and the Prussian King that would turn the two nations against each other. France then declared war over this insult, and within six months had been utterly defeated by the allied German forces. The Princes of these smaller German kingdoms offered the Prussian King, Wilhelm I, the title of “Kaiser” (emperor) of Germany, which he accepted, and on January 18, he was crowned in the Palace of Versailles, the traditionally French seat of power.