1,200 Years Later: Europe Celebrates Charlemagne's Legacy as Father of European Unity
Charlemagne, known as the "Father of Europe," unified much of continental Europe under his rule from 768 to 814. His empire stretched across modern-day France, Germany, parts of Spain, Italy, Austria, Poland, and portions of the Balkans and Greece.
Charlemagne crowned as European emperor
On Christmas Day 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as emperor of the Roman Empire (imperator Romanorum), establishing a crucial alliance between church and state. This coronation marked the beginning of a new era in European history, combining political power with religious authority.
Charlemagne's lasting contributions include:
- Political unification of Europe
- The Carolingian Renaissance (revival of classical and Christian learning)
- Establishment of a common European currency
- Creation of a model for church-state relations
His legacy continues to influence modern Europe. Since 1950, the city of Aachen (Charlemagne's capital) has awarded the annual Charlemagne Prize to individuals who contribute to European unity. The European Union often references him as a symbol of European integration and shared cultural heritage.
European leaders meet with Pope Francis
Hitler and Mussolini meeting
Statue of Pope waving
Historically, Charlemagne's empire represented the fifth revival of the Roman Empire, followed by several other attempts at European unification through the centuries. His model of combining political and religious authority has influenced European governance for over a millennium, shaping the continent's political and cultural development to this day.
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