Proclamation of the New Order

"In order to ensure the security and continued stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the First Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society!"

- Sheev Palpatine

The proclamation of the New Order was the event that marked the founding of the Galactic Empire. At the end of the Clone Wars, during an emergency session of the Galactic Senate, Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine&mdash;secretly Darth Sidious, the Dark Lord of the Sith&mdash;claimed that the Jedi Order had attempted to overthrow the government. The Jedi were declared enemies of the state, and Sidious transformed the Galactic Republic into the First Galactic Empire, with himself as absolute ruler. The proclamation was met with widespread support in the Senate and in public, though some&mdash;such as Senators Bail Organa and Padmé Amidala&mdash;quietly watched in disappointment. Empire Day was an annual holiday that marked the declaration of the New Order.

Reactions
"So this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause."

- Padmé Amidala

Though the speech received unanimous support of transitioning the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire, the speech itself had mixed reception. Some senators were in support of it because it meant a chance at a time of peace after three years of war and the carnage that occurred. Others, notably the senators who signed the Delegation of 2,000, personally disagreed with the speech, but did not speak out. During the speech, the Naboo senator, Padmé Amidala, mused that "to thunderous applause" was "how liberty dies."

Behind the scenes
According to George Lucas, the proclamation, as well as Amidala's comment about liberty dying being "from thunderous applause," was intended to reference the rise of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler in Germany.