219 years ago today, August 6, 1806 (June 22, 1806 in the lunar calendar), the Holy Roman Empire collapsed. On December 16, 1805, France and the Empire signed the Peace of Pressberg. After the signing of the peace treaty, Napoleon decided to establish the Rhinese Confederation with him as the Protector of the country to consolidate his allies in Germany. On July 12, 1806, under Napoleon's coercion and inducement, 16 member states of the Holy Roman Empire signed the Treaty of Rheinbundakte, seceding from the Empire and joining the Confederation. The move seriously weakened Austria's lordship status in Germany and greatly displeased Franz II. In order to attract more countries to join the Confederation, Napoleon decided to end the Holy Roman Empire himself. So he issued an ultimatum to Austrian Emperor Franz II, demanding that he dissolve the Holy Roman Empire and renounce his titles as Holy Roman Emperor and King of Germany. Finally, Franz II gave up the Holy Roman Emperor on August 6, 1806, retaining only the Austrian Emperor. The Holy Roman Empire officially fell. Comment: "It is neither sacred nor Roman nor imperial."-- Voltaire