The cathedral was constructed in the 12th century, with its famous spire standing since 1852. As of 8 p.m. local time, the building's famous spires had toppled to the ground, engulfing the entire frame in flames.
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12 photos that show the glorious history of the 800-year-old Notre-Dame Cathedral, which survived multiple wars and is now burning to the ground
The Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, one of France's most iconic structures, is up in flames after catching fire on Monday bringing with it a storied history that dates back hundreds of years ago.
The Notre-Dame cathedral, shown here in 1911, has been a spot for religious worship for more than 2,000 years. Prior to the construction of the cathedral, several other Catholic churches were erected on the same spot.
Notre-Dame spokesman Andre Finot said that the entire wooden interior of the landmark would likely be destroyed .
Here's what you need to know about the cathedral's history.
The Notre-Dame cathedral, shown here in 1911, has been a spot for religious worship for more than 2,000 years. Prior to the construction of the cathedral, several other Catholic churches were erected on the same spot.
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United States soldiers celebrated and danced with locals in front of the cathedral in 1944.
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Soldiers also filled the cathedral's pews during the GI memorial service for U.S. President Roosevelt in 1945.
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The cathedral has always been entrenched in history: in 1969, it displayed a North Vietnamese flag on its pinnacle in the aftermath of peace talks surrounding a possible cease-fire in Vietnam.
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A year later, heads of state, including then-president Richard Nixon, sat in the cathedral's pews during the the funeral of former French President Charles De Gaulle.
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Princess Diana made an appearance at the cathedral in 1988 to attend a service honoring the Royal British legion and the Commonwealth soldiers killed during World War I while also taking time to greet fans crowding outside the structure.
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AP Photo/Laurent Rebours
Victor Hugos 1831 classic The Hunchback of Notre Dame also played a big part in helping to restore interest in the cathedral. The structure is the focus of the Walt Disney film "Hunchback of Notre Dame."
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Pope's have often frequented the cathedral like when Pope John Paul II attended the celebration of a beatification mass in 1997.
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It is visited by more than 13 million people a year.
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AP Photo/Remy de la Mauviniere
And has served as a place of hope for scores of people. It was the site of a national service for victims in the aftermath of the Paris terror attack in 2015.
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AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Before the cathedral caught fire, it was undergoing significant renovations.
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Notre-Dame is in flames, but its legacy will always live on.
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AP Photo/Christophe Ena
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