 In the national memory, 18 January became the day of the foundation of the Empire ("Reichsgründungstag"), although it did not have a constitutional significance.To many intellectuals, the coronation of William was associated with the restoration of the Holy Roman Empire.Felix Dahn wrote a poem, ""Macte senex Imperator"" (Hail thee, old emperor) in which he nicknamed William "Barbablanca" (whitebeard), a play on the name of the medieval emperor Frederick "Barbarossa" (redbeard).