On this day, 48 years ago, on December 4, 1977 (October 24, 1977 lunar calendar), Emperor Bokassa of the Central African Empire crowned himself at great expense. Bokassa was crowned in Bangui with an arrogant bronze eagle as a foil. On December 4, 1977, the coronation ceremony of Jean-Bieder Boxassa, a former captain of the French colonial army who became the newly named Emperor of the Central African Empire, was full of contradictions. Bokassa's throne was surrounded by a bronze eagle. His crown was set with 5,000 diamond diamonds. The coronation ceremony was held in a decorated gymnasium. Mozart's music was played at the coronation ceremony, but the drumming of the tribe could be heard from a distance. Bokassa's gala for his own coronation reportedly cost $30 million, but his country is among the poorest in the world. The contradictions there did not stop. Bokassa's country became independent, but France still paid huge sums for him. The king was famous for his cruelty, but he was clearly loved by his people. His frenzied demeanor seemed to be a means, and he hoped the publicity for his coronation would attract tourists from around the world.