What modern award, named for Charlemagne, honors work for European unity?

The Charlemagne Prize is the modern award named for Charlemagne that honors work for European unity. It is formally associated with the German city of Aachen, where Charlemagne established his principal imperial residence.

The prize was founded after the Second World War and was first awarded in 1950. Its purpose was to recognize important contributions to European unification and to encourage cooperation among European peoples. The choice of Charlemagne’s name reflects his reputation as a ruler who brought much of western and central Europe under one political authority.

The award is commonly presented in Aachen’s historic town hall, traditionally on Ascension Day. Early recipients included Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi, Alcide De Gasperi, Jean Monnet, and Konrad Adenauer—figures associated with the emerging European project.

It is not the same as the European Charlemagne Youth Prize, created in 2008 with the European Parliament. That related award recognizes projects by young people supporting European integration.