Red Baron and Red Zangetsu, Tag of Friendship!

''We are an Empire ruled by the majority! An Empire ruled by a new Constitution! An Empire of laws, not of politicians! An Empire devoted to the preservation of a just society. Of a safe and secure society! We are an Empire that will stand for ten thousand years!''

-Emperor Palpatine in his Declaration of a New Order

The Galactic Empire, also known as the New Order, Palpatine's New Order, the Universal Empire, the Galactic Imperium, the Universal Imperium, or simply The Empire, is the Universal government established by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine to replace the Galactic Republic in 19 BMY and bring Sith rule to the galaxy.

The Republic, which had lasted for 25,034 years, ended following a period of intense political turmoil and the devestation of the Clone Wars. After General Grevious was defeated at the Battle of Utapau, and shortly after the leaders of the Confederacy of Independent Dimensions were killed on Mustafar by Darth Vader, Chancellor Palpatine (by then ruling with absolute power), began a purge of the Jedi Order, proclaimed himself Galactic Emperor, and reorganized the Galactic Republic into "the first Galactic Empire".