Chapter 5January 4–17, 1980
Friday, January 4
We interrupt this program for a special news bulletin.
The Emperor is dead.
His Imperial Majesty, Theodore III, who has been incapacitated since a massive stroke in 1977, suffered a heart attack this morning at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and was pronounced dead at 7:12 A.M. Air Force One, which was carrying the Regent, Crown Prince Robert—now Robert III—to Buenos Aires for a state visit, has turned around and is now enroute to Washington.
Across the nation flags are already at half-mast and will remain so for thirty days. All government publications will be printed with a black edge until the coronation this coming Easter. All provincial and imperial government offices and all schools have been closed for the one-week period of natio
