Dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire

Date: August 6, 1806 • Location: Berlin, Germany

Francis II, Holy Roman Emperor, declares the moribund empire to be dissolved, although he retains power in the Austrian Empire.

Francis II and I was the last Holy Roman Emperor from 1792 to 1806, and the first Emperor of Austria from 1804 to 1835. He was also King of Germany, Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and served as the first president of the German Confederation following its establishment in 1815.