History Shorts: Charlemagne is crowned Roman Emperor (800 A.D.)

Charlemagne is considered the “Father of Europe.” His reign ushered in a cultural renaissance in the midst of the Dark Ages. During his tenure, Charlemagne fought the Muslims in Spain, protected the Papacy, and united Western Europe for the first time since Rome’s collapse. In 800, Pope Leo III crowned him the Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day. The act culminated Charlemagne’s life and career. At the same time, it helped establish religious authority and control over secular governments. 1000 years later, Napoleon crowned himself in the pope’s presence to avoid any possibility that religious leaders could claim dominance over his empire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGkUNK8kmDw

History Shorts: Muslims invade Spain (711 A.D.)

Islam expanded dramatically after Muhammad’s death. Eventually, their empire ran from Afghanistan to Portugal and Spain. During the first century of the religion’s existence, Muslims conquered Arabia, the Middle East, parts of India, Afghanistan, parts of Africa, and invaded Spain. The invasion of the Iberian Peninsula marked Islam’s attempt to convert the world by sword. They eventually conquered most of modern Spain. The Spanish did not liberate themselves until 1492.

The first link is a brief overview of the Muslim occupation of Spain. The second is a NBC News report on modern Spanish Muslims.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91-NpyEKXWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJMw0RBCFOM