On this day 49 years ago, on December 4, 1976 (October 14, 1976 lunar calendar), the Central African Republic was renamed the Central African Empire. The Central African Republic, formerly known as Ubangi-Shari, became a French colony in 1891 and was included in the French Equatorial African Territory in 1910. In 1911, France transferred Equatorial Africa to Germany, and after World War I, Equatorial Africa was returned to France. After World War II, the Black African national independence movement grew increasingly, and Batelemi and Boganda founded the "Black African Social Development Movement" to launch the struggle for national independence. In early 1957, according to the French "Overseas Territories Fundamental Law", Ubangi-Shari was declared a "semi-autonomous republic". On December 1, 1958, Ubangi-Chari became an autonomous republic within the "French Community" and was renamed the Central African Republic. Boganda became the Prime Minister of the autonomous government. On March 29, 1959, Boganda was killed in a plane crash and succeeded by his nephew David Darko. On August 13, 1960, the Central African Republic declared independence, but remained within the "French Community". David Darko became the first president. In January 1966, the former army chief of staff, Jean-Berd Bokassa, launched a military coup to overthrow the Darko government and became president. On December 4, 1976, Bokassa amended the constitution and changed the Central African Republic to the Central African Empire. On December 4, 1977, he was officially crowned Bokassa I. Bokassa was born in February 1921 into the family of a central African chieftain. His father was killed by French colonists, but he survived and was taken to France. Bokassa joined the French army at the age of 18, fought in the Congo during World War II, and was later sent to Vietnam to work for France. During his 22-year military career, he was awarded the French "Legion of Honor". He is well versed in French history and adores Napoleon very much. In particular, the idea of Napoleon's proclamation as emperor took root in his mind. After Bokassa became emperor, he lived in the magnificent palace of Colomgo with the queen and concubines, and lived a life of wine and drink. In order to show his glory and prestige, when he ascended the throne one year ago, he held a more grand coronation ceremony than when Napoleon became emperor. The coronation cost 35 million US dollars, which was equivalent to half of the national budget of Central Africa that year, and enough for 3 million people in Central Africa to eat for more than two months. Bokassa's extravagance left the treasury empty and heavily indebted. His emperor's dream was wonderful, but life was not easy. After Bokassa became emperor, he became more powerful and tyrannical. But he was extremely weak, suspicious, and on guard at all times. He often used various excuses to brutally eliminate "opponents". During his tenure as president, he has reshuffled the government 20 times, and many officials have lost their positions and died for no reason. Even two of his most effective aides who helped him overthrow the Darko government have become ghosts under his knife. Bokassa's brutal rule has aroused strong resistance from the people. In September 1979, while he was negotiating with Libyan leaders in Tripoli to exchange land for dollars, the radio waves of his overthrow reached his ears. On the evening of the 20th, his personal adviser and cousin, former President David Darko, announced on the radio: "Bokassa I has been overthrown, the Central African Empire has ceased to exist, and Central Africa has been restored to a republic." Bokassa's rule ended, and in late 1980, a court in the Central African Republic sentenced him to death after a five-day trial in absentia.