History of Brussels, Belgium. Brussels chronology

History of Brussels

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Brussels Chronology

The 1830 breakthrough marked the beginning of Belgium as a separate country and designated Brussels as its capital. However currently, ever since Brussels has become the seat of the European Union there is even more going on in this city than it was in the nearly 15 centuries of its history.

Early history
580	According to a legend after his lucky escape from the Forest of Soignes, Saint Geryn decides to build a chapel on a small island nearby to thank God for his mercy. The settlement grows into a village and then develops into the town of Brussels.
695	The first mention of a village located on the spot of the present day Brussels appears. The name of the village originates from the Old Flemish word Broekzele which means 'marshland'.
966	First written mention of Brussels in a document issued by Otto the Great appears.
979	The official date of establishing the city of Brussels. That year, Lothar, a grandson of a Carolingian king Charlemagne, erects a huge fortress near the village of Brussels.
1000	The control over Brussels is given to the count of Leuven, Lambert I.
1010	Brussels builds a set of fortified walls. The status of the city increases.
1047	The St Gudula chapel is founded in Brussels. It will stand there for nearly ten Centuries.

12-17th Century
12th century	Brussels becomes an important trade hub for the local and international merchants. The population grows to approximately 30,000. The city area expands.
1515	Charles V becomes the ruler of Burgundy and restores Brussels as the capital.
1356	The Duchess of Louvain gains control and initiates a charter of workers' rights.
1357-1379	A bigger wall is constructed and built as the previous one become too small. Seven gates are installed, guarding the entry to the city.
1402	The building process of the Town Hall begins to be completed more than 50 years later.
1430s	Brussels becomes the capital of Burgundy and its importance rises immensely.
1477	The Habsburg dynasty wins the rule over Brussels, after Mary of Burgundy marries Maximilian of Austria. The daughter of the latter moves the capital away from Brussels.
1555	Charles V abdicates.
1696	Brussels is attacked by the army of the French king Louis XIV. More than 4,000 houses are destroyed.

18-19th Century
18th Century	The beginning of the Austrian rule of Brussels. The city's economy is enhanced by developing export from its harbour, but later on the War of Austrian Succession hinders the city's development.
1715	Brussels officially becomes a part of Austria.
1731	The Coudenberg Palace is destroyed in a huge fire.
1744	Charles, Duke of Lorraine, has a plan to restyle Brussels to make it similar to northern Vienna. The plan is, however, short-lived. Some sights to come from that period are Place des Martyrs and Place Royal.
1793-1815	This is a period of French occupation. The French try to impose radical reforms, which is met with resentment of the locals. Their reign finishes with the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo only twelve kilometres from Brussels.
1815	According to the Treaty of Vienna, Brussels and the whole of Belgium go under Dutch control.
1830	Brussels becomes the starting point of the Belgian revolution, which leads to establishing Belgium as an independent kingdom with Brussels as its capital.
1831	The Belgian king Leopold II ascends the throne. Leopold II introduces many improvements into the city's infrastructure. The Tervuren Avenue is laid out and the North-South Junction is built.
1866	Brussels witnesses the outburst of the cholera epidemic which takes thousands of lives.
1880	To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Belgium's independence, Brussels organises a much-discussed International Exhibition, which draws significant international crowds.

20th Century
1919	With the Peace treaty Belgium gains the German-speaking area in the southeast.
1928	The works on Palais des Beaux Arts are completed by Victor Horta.
1920s and 1930s	Brussels struggles to regain its pre-World War I splendour.
1930	Einstein presents the box clock at the Solvay Conference held in Brussels that year.
1940	Brussels is bombarded by the Nazis. King Leopold III decides to surrender.
1944-1945	The darkest period in the history of Brussels. The city suffers great war damages.
1951	The king is suspected of Nazi collaboration and abdicates.
1958	Brussels becomes the headquarters of the European Economic Community (which will later become the European Union). This is also the year of the World Exhibition which fortified Brussels position on the map of international relations.
1960s	Brussels enjoys an economic boom. More and more of its inhabitants spend money on luxury goods.
1967	Brussels becomes the headquarters of NATO.
1970s and 1980s	There is an economic recession, which hinders Brussels rapid development.
1980	Brussels celebrates 150 years of independence.
1989	The Brussels Capital region is founded.
2000	Brussels is hailed a European City of Culture