"The God of Vienna"
April 20, 1897
After Karl Lueger has been elected as the mayor of Vienna for the forth time, he has finally made it. The emperor must accept the vote.  Now, finally, the popular politician the Viennese call “God of Vienna” is mayor.  Dr. Karl Lueger was born on October 24^th, 1844 in Vienna. He studied law and began a quick career as a politician and started the Christian Social Party.  Dr. Karl Lueger was voted mayor for the first time in 1895.  Yet Emperor Franz Joseph rejected Lueger because of his history of rebelling against the government’s authority and speeches made about Hungary. Because of that, Lueger was only able to become vice mayor of Vienna.  But now is the time for him to put his ideas into action.  He plans, for example, to create a city train as well as a gas and electricity works for Vienna. Further plans include extending the city through the inclusion of the surrounding towns and protecting the Vienna woods.

50^th Throne Anniversary
of Emperor Franz Joseph

May 7^, 1898
Today in honor of the 50^th throne anniversary of Kaiser Franz Joseph's rule, a large exhibition in the Rotunda is opening. Throughout the whole monarchy there will be ceremonies, parades, and openings. The technical achievements in the areas of trade, land, forestry, sport, and flight will be introduced to the Viennese. The mascot is the “Drachenballon”. During the day, courageous exhibition visitors will be taken up to a height of 460 meters. At night, the balloon, as well as the “Praterstern” is lit up with thousands of lights. 7000 light bulbs and 7000 arc lamps will transform the exhibition surface into a sea of lights.

                 Read more about the Emperor in People                                       The Throne Anniversary

The Emperor-in-Waiting Franz Ferdinand

March 10, 1902
 Since Rudolf’s death in Mayerling, (murder or suicide?) the emperor’s nephew is next in line for the throne.  His attitude is influenced by strict military discipline.  In his private life, Franz Ferdinand likes to undertake trips throughout the world from which he brings back scientific and folk souvenirs.  Ferdinand is married to the countess Sophie Chotek who was raised by Franz Joseph. His wife comes along on his hunting trips with him from which he has many trophy animals.  He has written about his hunting trips since he was 9 years old.  His library is filled with thousands of volumes.  He has worked intensively to enlarge the navy.

Death of the Kaiserin

September 18, 1898
Elisabeth was born on the 24th of December, 1837. At the age of 17 she married Kaiser Franz Joseph. Elizabeth was a very attractive and athletic woman, who also wrote poems. Elizabeth had a very strong desire to travel and she felt a special affection towards the Hungarian people. After the death of her son, Rudolf, she became very withdrawn and maintained her strange characteristics. She used, for example, facial masks made out of raw calf meat, strawberry face packs, and olive oil baths in order to maintain her youthful appearance. Elisabeth’s last trip was to Geneva, Switzerland where she stayed in the hotel, “Beau Rivage“, on September 10th. At 1:40 pm, she boarded a liner on her way to Montreux. The anarchist Luigi Luccheni murdered her with a dagger. The entire realm mourns for the beautiful empress!

Die Kaiserin